Abstract: The invention provides novel tetradentate enediyne ligands that are themselves thermally stable, yet react at about room temperature or slightly higher upon addition of metal ions or under photothermal conditions. In another aspect of the invention, a method of treating a disorder in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or composition is provided. In addition, the free ligand can be delivered to the mammal prior to complexation to metals, such that the ligand is exposed to a metal in the body and forms a metal complex in vivo. Furthermore, a metal complex of the invention can be administered to the mammal such that the complex exchanges the first metal center with another endogenous metal in order to form a second metal complex in vivo. The second metal complex is capable of forming a benzenoid diradical under physiological conditions and/or under photothermal conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides novel tetradentate enediyne ligands that are themselves thermally stable, yet react at about room temperature or slightly higher upon addition of metal ions or under photothermal conditions. In another aspect of the invention, a method of treating a disorder in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or composition is provided. In addition, the free ligand can be delivered to the mammal prior to complexation to metals, such that the ligand is exposed to a metal in the body and forms a metal complex in vivo. Furthermore, a metal complex of the invention can be administered to the mammal such that the complex exchanges the first metal center with another endogenous metal in order to form a second metal complex in vivo. The second metal complex is capable of forming a benzenoid diradical under physiological conditions and/or under photothermal conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds, compositions, and methods that are particularly useful in photodynamic therapy. In particular, the inventive compounds, compositions, and methods relate to the formation of cytotoxic radical species in the presence of light. Significantly, the compounds, compositions, and methods of the present invention do not require the presence of oxygen in the photodynamic therapy and, as such, rely on a unimolecular mechanism for producing the radicals. The inventive compounds, compositions, and methods can be used, for example, in the treatment of cancers as well as infections caused by microorganisms such as protozoa, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Abstract: The invention provides novel tetradentate enediyne ligands that are themselves thermally stable, yet react at about room temperature or slightly higher upon addition of metal ions or under photothermal conditions. In another aspect of the invention, a method of treating a disorder in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or composition is provided. In addition, the free ligand can be delivered to the mammal prior to complexation to metals, such that the ligand is exposed to a metal in the body and forms a metal complex in vivo. Furthermore, a metal complex of the invention can be administered to the mammal such that the complex exchanges the first metal center with another endogenous metal in order to form a second metal complex in vivo. The second metal complex is capable of forming a benzenoid diradical under physiological conditions and/or under photothermal conditions.