An overview of synthetic approaches to porphyrin, phthalocyanine, and phenothiazine photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.

The mechanistic basis of photodynamic therapy is reviewed briefly, and the factors that are important in improving photosensitizers are examined. The methods for preparing the three main classes of PDT photosensitizers, namely, porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and phenothiazines, are reviewed.