Synthesis of meso-substituted porphyrins carrying carboranes and oligo(ethylene glycol) units for potential applications in boron neutron capture therapy.

Selective delivery of 10B to tumours is one of the major remaining problems in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of cancer. Porphyrins are selectively accumulated in tumours. Thus two series of carborane-carrying porphyrins were constructed, with additional functionality for attachment of uncharged potentially water-solubilising polyethers.

Formation of a remarkably robust 2:1 complex between beta-cyclodextrin and a phenyl-substituted icosahedral carborane.

The structure of the 2:1 complex between beta-cyclodextrin and 1-phenyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) is demonstrated by NOE and NOESY spectroscopy; this complex is remarkably refractory.