In vitro cytotoxicity of a library of BODIPY-anthracene and -pyrene dyads for application in photodynamic therapy.

The facile synthesis and in vitro activity of a library of heavy atom-free BODIPY-anthracene, -pyrene dyads (BAD-13-BPyrD-19) and a control (BODIPY 20) are reported. We demonstrate that singlet oxygen produced from dyad triplet states formed from charge-separated states is sufficient to induce cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-468) at micromolar concentrations. The compounds in this series are promising candidates for photodynamic therapy, especially BAD-17 which displays significant photocytotoxicity (15% cell viability) at a concentration of 5 × 10-7 M, with minimal toxicity (89% cell viability) in the absence of light.