title: New pi-extended water-soluble squaraines as singlet oxygen generators.
abstract: [graph: see text] Condensation of squaric acid with a number of differently substituted 2-pyrrolyl derivatives afforded three new classes of squaraines. Their sharp and intense absorption bands in the biological window (700-900 nm), inherent singlet oxygen generation capabilities, together with proper functionalization allowing good water solubility make them suitable candidates as new non-porphyrinic singlet oxygen photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT).
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and INSTM, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cozzi 53, I-20125 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beverina
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbotto
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landenna
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerminara
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tubino
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meinardi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bradamante
authors.forename: Giorgio A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Pagani