Photosensitization of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines covers the scentific background to porphyrins and phthalocyanines, and applications of the compounds, especially for the application for photosensitization. It also has a review of advances in research and applications in this field.

The use of porphyrins for localization and photodynamic therapy of neoplastic disease has been the topic of several international symposia, reviews and books during the preceeding five years. The literature on this topic has continued to grow, as have numbers of presentations at national and international meetings relating to photobiology, chemistry, and lasers. In this volume, it is the intention of the editor to provide both information on current research projects, and detailed methodology used in such investigations. A bibliography on the subjects of porphyrin localization and therapy is included. The manuscripts contained in this volume are based on reports given at a Porphyrin Photosensitization Workshop which was held in Philadel phia, July 6-7, 1984. This Workshop was supported by NIH grant CA 36746, together with funds from the Fogarty International Center. Authors were requested to update their contributions to provide a summary of progress to mid 1985. Manuscripts containing material not presented in Philadelphia are also included, notably a series of articles describ ing current clinical and pre-clinical results from China. Since the Philadelphia Workshop, a meeting was held in Alghero, Sardinia (May, 1985), and additional conferences are now being planned; this attests to the continued interest in photodynamic therapy involving porphyrin photo sensitization.

The Porphyrin Handbook, Volume 19: Applications of Phthalocyanines provides information pertinent to every aspect of the chemistry, synthesis, spectroscopy, and structure of phthalocyanines. This book examines the biology and medical implications of porphyrin systems. Organized into five chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the basic photobiology of phthalocyanines, their structure–activity relationships, mechanisms of action in a variety of biological systems, and their potential applications for various medical purposes. This text then examines the type of organization of the molecules in the solid state and the intensity of the intermolecular interactions. Other chapters consider the applications of phthalocyanines as decorative and functional materials, with emphasis on properties and structures of phthalocyanines with industrial relevance. This book discusses as well the enzyme-like catalytic functions of metal complexes derivatives and their practical applications as odor-removing systems and bacterial systems based on their effective catalytic activities. This book is a valuable resource for research scientists, engineers, and clinicians.

The porphyrins and phthalocyanines are among the most representative macrocycles in synthetic chemistry, characterized by specific molecular structures, responsible and associated with their particular properties. They have high versatility and an adequate variability introduced either by macrocycle metallation or by different substituents at its periphery called meso-substituents. The porphyrins could find, together with the synthetic phthalocyanines, various scientific and technological applications in chemical and photochemical areas. They can serve as catalysts and photocatalysts in different reactions, or as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy of cancer, due to their high efficiency to generate free radicals and excited state species. The aim of this chapter is to achieve a better understanding of the complex and various properties of the porphyrins and phthalocyanines in different solvents or in heterogeneous media, trying to draw the relationships between these topics with their possible applications in catalytic, photocatalytic area (photodegradation of Kraft-lignin, photooxidation of different unsaturated hydrocarbons, photodegradation of different organic aquatic pollutants, oxirans polymerization) and some preliminary results about the heterogeneous porphyrin sensitizers in the photodynamic therapy area. Their photobleaching mechanisms in different conditions are also discussed.

This book addresses the synthesis of photosensitizers, the main emphasis being on the new methods of synthesis such as microwave, sonochemistry and the use of ionic liquids. It also addresses the photochemistry and photophysics of the photosensitizers alone and in combination with nanoparticles, the use of the photosensitizers in environmental control, safety and medicine. It discusses the common structures of the photosensitizers which are beneficial to these applications.

The Porphyrin Handbook, Volume 14: Medical Aspects of Porphyrins provides information pertinent to every aspect of the chemistry, synthesis, spectroscopy, and structure of phthalocyanines. This book examines the biology and medical implications of porphyrin systems. Organized into 12 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the underlying diagnostic features, mechanisms, and available treatments of erythropoietic disorders due to defective heme biosynthesis. This text then examines the physiopathology of acute intermittent porphyria, which is transmitted as autosomal dominant disorders with incomplete penetrance. Other chapters consider the main characteristics of congenital erythropoietic porphyria, which includes an increased synthesis, accumulation, ad excretion of porphyrins. This book discusses as well the biochemistry, pathophysiology, and clinical features of variegate porphyria in the light of several essential advances in the understanding, management, and diagnosis of variegate porphyria. The final chapter deals with the legal use of herbal and complementary medicines. This book is a valuable resource for research scientists, engineers, and clinicians.

The Porphyrin Handbook, Volume 16: Phthalocyanines: Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Characterization provides information pertinent to every aspect of the chemistry, synthesis, spectroscopy, and structure of phthalocyanines. This book examines the biology and medical implications of porphyrin systems. Organized into five chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the photophysical properties of phthalocyanines that are important in relation to photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, photoconductor, solar cells, and artificial photosynthesis. This text then describe how the data obtained from magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy has provided the critical information required to describe the excited and ground state degeneracies of main group metallophthalocyanines complexes. Other chapters consider the electrocatalysis by electrodes modified with phthalocyanine sensors and complexes. This book discusses as well the properties of phthalocyanines and of their complexes. The final chapter deals with the experiments with organic pigment thin films. This book is a valuable resource for research scientists, engineers, and clinicians.