Alternatives for other forms of cancer treatment such as photosensitizers have been known to be less invasive than other treatments and can be more effective. This type of treatment, known as photodynamic therapy (PDT), has been one of the forefronts of cancer research in the past century. When exposed to visible light and molecular oxygen, photosensitizers can be utilized to target cancerous tumors. Production of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs when these compounds are hit with the correct wavelength of light. A potential photosensitizer that is known to have anticarcinogenic properties is curcumin, a naturally occurring ingredient found in the spice called turmeric. This project attempts to synthesize and characterize a derivative of curcumin with a benzothiazole group attached to the molecule to increase ROS production along with allowing strong absorption in the near-IR (NIR) region and ensure long lifetimes <i>in vivo. </i>Increasing the solubility of the compound in solution is also required. The overall approach of the project included the design, synthesis, structural analysis (NMR, IR), and optical analysis (UV-Vis and Fluorescence) of the benzothiazole derivative of curcumin. This derivative of curcumin is expected to fluoresce at strong absorptions in the NIR region along with being more soluble in solution.<br/>

Benzothiazole curcumin derivative synthesis and characterization as a photosensitizer

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.