Synthesis of novel chlorophyll a derivatives bearing glucose moieties and estimation of their photocytotoxic activity

A series of chlorophyll a derivatives bearing glucose moieties linked to the porphyrin macrocycle via ester bonds were synthesized. The dark cytotoxicity and photocytotoxicity of new chlorin-glucose conjugates were competitively evaluated in comparison with those of structurally similar chlorin-galactose derivatives synthesized previously. It was revealed that the introduction of the glucose moiety into the molecule of chlorophyll a derivative facilitates a decrease in the dark cytotoxicity relative to chlorin-galactose conjugates.