DNA and BSA binding studies of novel tetracationic phthalocyanines

The novel tetracationic metallophthalocyanines having diethylmethyl aminoethylsulfanyl groups on the periphery have been synthesized and characterized. The compounds tend to form aggregates in aqueous solutions. The aggregation of ZnPc⁴⁺ or CoPc⁴⁺, but not that of CuPc ⁴⁺, was hindered by the addition of surfactants (Triton X-100 and Tween 20). Using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques, DNA and BSA binding properties of tetracationic ZnPc in the presence of the surfactants were also investigated.