Synthesis, characterization and photodynamic activity of Sn (iv) triarylcorroles with red-shifted Q bands

Two Sn(IV) triarylcorroles were synthesised and characterized. The absorption spectrum of a meso-thien-2-yl substituted tin(IV)corrole (1-Sn) is red shifted compared to its phenyl analogue (2-Sn) and shows no sign of aggregation in solution. 1-Sn and 2-Sn exhibited singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.87 and 0.54 in DMF, and have a triplet lifetime of 31 and 50 μs, respectively. Time dependent cellular uptake in MCF-7 cells for 1-Sn reached a peak at 24 h, and 1-Sn was found to be more lipophilic than 2-Sn. 1-Sn showed good photo-cytotoxicity on exposure to a Thorlabs 625 nm LED with an IC50 value of 3.2 μM and remained inactive in the dark