The invention discloses a triarylmethane type I photosensitive dye as well as a synthesis method and application thereof. The structure of the dye is shown as a general formula I; intramolecular
charge separation is optimized by regulating
substituent groups, and the generation efficiency of
superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals is remarkably improved. According to the synthesis method, 4-diphenylaminobenzaldehyde or 4-vinyl
benzaldehyde is used as a
raw material, efficient preparation is achieved through the steps of condensation, oxidation and the like, the
raw material is easy to obtain, and operation is easy and convenient. The dye has strong absorption at the
wavelength of 600-630 nm, is suitable for
red light triggered
photodynamic therapy (PDT), especially keeps high reactive
oxygen yield under the hypoxic condition, and breaks through the
oxygen dependence limitation of traditional PDT. Experiments show that the dye can induce
ferroptosis of
tumor cells, has the functions of
fluorescence imaging and treatment, and has wide application prospects in the fields of antitumor drugs, in-vivo
fluorescence labeling, photoresponsive functional preparations and the like.