Fernandes, A.Rosa da Costa, AnaSerra, Arménio C.Pires, Catarina2015-09-082015-09-082011-04J Pharm Bioall Sci 2011;3:294-70976-4879AUT: AMC01695; ABR00608;http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/6739A number of new porphyrin-based photosensitizers have been developed for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in recent years. Chlorins, which are a reduced form of porphyrins, show better potential of application since they have a stronger absorption band on the red region of the visible spectrum and, hence, a deeper penetration into tissues. We found that by using heterogeneous catalytic transfer reduction (CTR), meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) could be hydrogenated, although in modest yields, to meso-tetraphenylchlorin (TPC) in a single reaction step. Best reaction conditions were attained using formic acid or sodium phosphinate/water as hydrogen donors, tetrahydrofuran (THF) or toluene as solvent and 10% palladium on charcoal as catalyst.engCatalytic transfer reductionhydrogenationMeso-tetraphenylchlorinMeso-tetraphenylporphyrinPhotosensitizersjournal article10.4103/0975-7406.80770