Synthesis, photophysical studies and ¹O₂ generation of carboxylate-terminated zinc phthalocyanine dendrimers

Highly water-soluble dendrimers have been prepared consisting of a central zinc phthalocyanine moiety and dendritic wedges with terminal carboxylate groups. The biggest polyelectrolyte comprises 32 negative charges at the dendrimer surface. The photophysical studies reveal a strong correlation between the degree of dendritic environment, the extent of aggregation, and the ability to generate singlet oxygen in aqueous media. Compared to dendrimers having an axial derivatization the functionalization on the outer rim also significantly improves the phthalocyanine's ability to photosensitize singlet oxygen.