Abstract: A .beta.,.beta.'-dihydroxy meso-substituted chlorin, bacteriochlorin or isobacteriochlorin compound having the formula (I) or (II): ##STR1## wherein M is a metal. A novel method for synthesizing the compound of formula (I) or (II) comprises the steps of:a. osmylating a .beta...beta.'-unsubstituted, meso-substituted porphyrin to form an osmate ester at the .beta.,.beta.'-position, andb. reducing the osmate ester to form the corresponding .beta.,.beta.'-dihydroxy meso-substituted chlorin, bacteriochlorin or isobacteriochlorin of formula (I) or (II).

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a porphocyanine having the formula: ##STR1## where each R is ethyl, comprises either: (1) treating 3,3'-4,4'-tetraethyl-5,5'-bisaminomethyl-2,2'-dipyrromethane with a 10-fold excess of DDQ or(2) treating 3,3'-4,4'-tetraethyl-5,5'-diformyl 2,2'-dipyrromethane with ammonia, followed by column chromatography purification and evaporating to dryness the eluant containing the purified product.

Abstract: A group of novel expanded porphyrin-like compounds, porphacyanine (Pc) and porphacyanine-like compounds, having absorption maxima in the range of 400-850 nanometers is useful in detecting and treating targeted tissues, cells and viruses. The use of the Pc of the invention permits the irradiation to comprise wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Pc of the invention may also be conjugated to target-specific moieties such as immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits greater depth of treatment penetration and greater specificity in targeting tissues or cells. Coupled with an appropriate paramagnetic ion or radioisotope, the Pc of the invention is suitable for use in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and radioimaging.

Abstract: A group of hydro-monobenzoporphyrins "green porphyrins" (Gp) having absorption maxima in the range of 670-780 nanometers is useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating virus, cells and tissues generally to destroy unwanted targets. The use of the Gp of the invention permits the irradiation for therapy to use wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Gp of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptor or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of drug to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.

Abstract: A group of hydro-dibenzoporphyrins prepared by di-Diels-Alder additions at the A and C rings of the appropriate divinyl porphyrins have absorption maxima in the range of 700-820 nanometers and are photosensitizing agents. These compounds are useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating biological materials generally to destroy unwanted targets such as viruses, cells and tissues. The use of the compounds of the invention permits irradiation with wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The compounds of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptors or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to home to target tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of photosensitizer to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.

Abstract: A group of hydro-monobenzoporphyrins "green porphyrins" (Gp) having absorption maxima in the range of 670-780 nanometers is useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating virus, cells and tissues generally to destroy unwanted targets. The use of the Gp of the invention permits the irradiation for therapy to use wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Gp of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptor or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of drug to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.

Abstract: A group of hydro-monobenzoporphyrins "green porphyrins" (Gp) having absorption maxima in the range of 670-780 nanometers is useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating virus, cells and tissues generally to destroy unwanted targets. The use of the Gp of the invention permits the irradiation for therapy to use wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Gp of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptor or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of drug to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.

Abstract: A group of hydro-dibenzoporphyrins prepared by di-Diels-Alder additions at the A and C rings of the appropriate divinyl porphyrins have absorption maxima in the range of 700-820 nanometers and are photosensitizing agents. These compounds are useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating biological materials generally to destroy unwanted targets such as viruses, cells and tissues. The use of the compounds of the invention permits irradiation with wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The compounds of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptors or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to home to target tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of photosensitizer to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.

Abstract: A group of hydro-monobenzoporphyrins "green porphyrins" (Gp) having absorption maxima in the range of 670-780 nanometers is useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating virus, cells and tissues generally to destroy unwanted targets. The use of the Gp of the invention permits the irradiation to use wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Gp of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptor or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of drug to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.

Abstract: A group of hydro-monobenzoporphyrins "green porphyrins" (Gp) having absorption maxima in the range of 670-780 nanometers is useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating virus, cells and tissues generally to destroy unwanted targets. The use of the Gp of the invention permits the irradiation to use wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Gp of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptor or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of drug to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.

Abstract: A group of hydro-monobenzoporphyrins "green porphyrins" (Gp) having absorption maxima in the range of 670-720 nanometers is useful in treating disorders which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light. The use of the Gp of the invention permits the irradiation to comprise wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Gp of the invention may also be conjugated to receptor ligands or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of drug to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.