Unsymmetrical Mesoporphyrinic Complexes of Copper (II) and Zinc (II). Microwave-Assisted Synthesis, Spectral Characterization and Cytotoxicity Evaluation

New unsymmetrical mesoporphyrinic complexes, namely 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20–tris-(4-carboxymethylphenyl)–21,23-Zn(II)-porphine and 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20–tris-(4-carboxymethylphenyl)–21,23-Cu(II)-porphine, were synthesized using a microwave irradiation method. The structures of the porphyrinic complexes were confirmed using FT-IR, UV–Vis, EPR and NMR spectral data. The spectral absorption and emission properties of the porphyrinic complexes were studied in organic solvents of different polarities and the influence of solvent polarity on the wavelengths of the absorbance and fluorescence band maxima is described. The cytotoxicity evaluation of the porphyrinic complexes was performed on human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT29 for different doses and incubation times. The obtained result indicates a lack of or low toxicity for both compounds, thus recommending them for further testing in light activation protocols.