Near infrared photo-induced DNA damage in the presence of copper-dppz complex: Evidence for the involvement of singlet oxygen

Long-standing challenge is the development of a photo-sensitizer with a very good DNA damage efficiency in (700-800) nm region, which satisfies the basic requirements of photodynamic therapy. This Letter demonstrates for the first time that 99% DNA damage activity above 700 nm is possible in the presence of copper (II) complex and shows a nice trend between DNA damage efficiency and singlet oxygen quantum yield.