Hematoporphyrin-Containing Polydyes

While much of our work has focused on the optical properties of polydyes, other properties have also been examined. Here one other area will be noted. 

Porphyrins are heterocyclic compoimds containing pyrrole units. They constitute major components in the human body and within plants and are essential agents for hfe. For instance, the iron-hematoporphyrin complex is the active component of 

Hematoporphyrin IX (HPIX) was the first porphyrin isolated from natural materials, obtained by the sulfiuic acid treatment of blood. HPIX, and some derivatives, are commercially available and have been reported to offer a wide variety of uses. They are used as sensitizes in cancer physiotherapy. These compoimds are selectively concentrated by neoplastic tissues, and accordmgly the tumors can be distinguished by selective fluorescence imder UV light. 

HPIX is a macrocycUc tetrapyrrole structure with four methyl, two propionic acid, and two ethanolic sidechains. The two propionic acid and two ethanolic chains react with Group IVB metallocene dichlorides, giving crosslinked polymers as 11. 

HPIX is one of the most unstable of the natural porphyrins commonly employed in the laboratory because of the presence of labile hydroxyethyl sidechains. Thus synthesis of polymers from HPIX must be accomplished rapidly and under mild conditions. 

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