Polyhedral boron derivatives of porphyrins and phthalocyanines

The synthesis of compounds containing polyhedral boron cages and porphyrin or phthalocyanine units connected covalently in one molecule is reviewed. T he importance of these compounds arises, on the one hand, from the use of p olyhedral boron derivatives in neutron capture therapy for cancer; on the o ther hand, porphyrins and phthalocyanines are known as photosensitizers in photodynamic tumor therapy. Current interest in the binding of polyhedral b oron compounds to porphyrins and phthalocyanines is due to the observation that porphyrins and phthalocyanines show improved uptake and good persisten ce in tissues. Medical applications of compounds containing polyhedral boro n cages and porphyrin or phthalocyanine units in one molecule are briefly d iscussed. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.