Phosphorescent meso-unsubstituted metallo-tetrabenzoporphyrin probe molecules for measuring oxygen and imaging methods

摘要

Oxygen levels in biological tissue or systems can be measured by the phosphorescence quenching method using phosphorescent porphyrin probes, also referred to as a dendritic oxygen probes, with controllable quenching parameters and defined biodistributions. Provided are a “next generation” of oxygen sensors with substantially improved phosphorescence emission for better imaging capabilities, ease of use, increasing the quantum efficiency (phosphorescence intensity) and extending their range of applicability including constructing a class of oxygen sensors for making measurements in organic media. In addition, provided are methods for synthesizing new porphyrin constructs in which the porphyrin is made less flexible and more planar, changing with decrease internal quenching, and thereby increasing the phosphorescence emission used for oxygen sensing. Additional methods are provided for structurally modifying the dendrimer used to encapsulate the porphyrin phosphor to provide internal quenching of singlet oxygen molecules formed during oxygen measurements.

主权项

1. A phosphorescent metalloporphyrin probe, also referred to as a dendritic oxygen probe, effective for oxygen measurement in human or animal tissue, said dendritic oxygen probe comprising
a meso-unsubstituted, metallo-tetrabenzoporphyrin core, wherein the metal is Pd, and the Pd metallo-tetrabenzoporphyrin core has the following structure: a dendrimer comprising dendrons, wherein the dendrons are peripherally attached to the metallo-tetrabenzoporphyrin core at the 2,6 positions indicated by “R”; and a solubilizing layer attached to the periphery of the dendrons.