A HET-CAM based vascularized intestine tumor model as a screening platform for nano-formulated photosensitizers.

The development of new tumor models for anticancer drug screening is a challenge for preclinical research. Conventional cell-based in vitro models such as 2D monolayer cell cultures or 3D spheroids allow an initial assessment of the efficacy of drugs but they have a limited prediction to the in vivo effectiveness. In contrast, in vivo animal models capture the complexity of systemic distribution, accumulation, and degradation of drugs, but visualization of the individual steps is challenging and extracting quantitative data is usually very difficult.

RAFT polymer cross-coupling with boronic acids.

The ability to modify the thiocarbonylthio end-groups of RAFT polymers is important for applications where an inert or highly functionalised material is required. Here we report a copper promoted cross-coupling reaction between RAFT polymer end-groups and aryl boronic acids. This method gives high conversion to the modified polymers, and is compatible with a wide variety of functional molecules.

Synthesis of SF5-Substituted Tetrapyrroles, Metalloporphyrins, BODIPYs, and Their Dipyrrane Precursors.

The synthesis of novel pentafluorosulfanyl (SF5)-substituted A4-type porphyrins, their corresponding Zn(II)- and Pd(II)-metal complexes, A3-, A2B- and AB2-type corroles, BODIPYs, and their dipyrrane precursors was studied utilizing commercially available SF5-substituted aryl aldehydes. In addition, the functionalization of SF5-substituted tetrapyrroles was investigated by applying the concept of the nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S(N)Ar) with alcohols and sodium azide onto the pentafluorophenyl moiety of a trans-A2B2-porphyrin and two corrole derivatives with a mixed substitution pattern involving the SF5 group. This allows a fine-tuning of the properties of these macrocycles through a selective and mild introduction of functional groups, giving access to multifunctionalized SF5-substituted porphyrinoids.

Nucleophilic substitution on (pentafluorophenyl)dipyrromethane: a new route to building blocks for functionalized BODIPYs and tetrapyrroles.

The reaction of alcohols with (pentafluorophenyl)dipyrromethane (PFP-DPM) under basic conditions has been studied, giving access to the corresponding alkoxy-substituted DPMs. This method represents the first high-yielding substitution of PFP-DPM carried out with oxygen nucleophiles. Condensation of these prefunctionalized DPMs with aldehydes led to the respective trans-A2B2 porphyrins.