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. The importance of these compounds arises, on the one hand, from the use of polyhedral boron derivatives in neutron capture therapy for cancer; on the other hand, porphyrins and phthalocyanines are known as photosensitizers in photodynamic tumor therapy. Current interest in the binding of polyhedral boron compounds to porphyrins and phthalocyanines is due to the observation that porphyrins and phthalocyanines show improved uptake and good persistence in tissues. Medical applications of compounds containing polyhedral boron cages and porphyrin or phthalocyanine units in one molecule are briefly discussed.