Photoactive meso-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin-tetrakis-[chloro(2,2′bipyridine)platinum(ii) derivatives recognize and cleave DNA upon irradiation

Abstract

In this work, we evaluate the interaction of the peripheral Pt(bpy)Cl⁺ substituted porphyrins, H₂PtPor and ZnPtPor with DNA using UV-vis, emission fluorescence, CD spectroscopy, and DNA melting properties altered by the Pt(II)–porphyrinoid compounds. Additionally, we observe the ability of these porphyrin derivatives to generate ¹O₂ and to efficiently photocleave plasmid DNA upon visible light irradiation based on a mixed (oxidative/hydrolytic) mechanism.