Regioselective syntheses and some in vivo properties of “benzochlorin” analogues prepared from methyl 9-deoxymesopyropheophorbide

Starting from methyl 9-deoxymesopyropheophorbide-a 5, regioselective synthesis of a series of benzochlorins was achieved. These compounds have long wavelength absorptions in the range of 710–756 nm. The in vivo spectroscopic properties as well as the uptake and clearance characteristics of some of these compounds (e.g. 13) were determined by use of in vivo reflection spectroscopy.