A New Boron 2-(2 '-pyridyl) Imidazole Complex as a Candidate Photosensitizer for Photodynamic Therapy

In this work, different from the literature, boron 2-(2 '-pyridyl) imidazole complex (BOPIM) was derived from pyridine ring side to extend pi conjugation for the first time. In addition, the core of BOPIM was brominated to increase the capacity of singlet oxygen generation via intersystem crossing to function as a photosensitizer. According to photophysical measurements, the new BOPIM derivative had comparatively large Stokes shift as 111 nm among boron-fluorine derivatives in the literature. Its singlet oxygen generation potential and toxic effect in the dark were investigated in the presence of singlet oxygen trap 1,3-Diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF). According to the obtained results, it was seen that the new BOPIM derivative could be a good photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy.