The studied molecules are listed in Figure 1 below. They have been listed in the literature with refcodes corresponding to letters of the alphabet. These molecules exist in the literature in two forms, either neutral or charged.

Makaluvamine I ( Figure 2 ), named according to the systematic nomenclature 7-amino-2a1, 3, 4, 8a-tetrahydropyrrolo [4,3,2-de] quinone 8 (1H)-one, is chosen as the structural reference. It carries no substituents and is neutral in the literature. This skeleton forms the structural basis of Makaluvamines.

For this study, we considered the neutral and charged (protonated then methylated) forms for each Makaluvamine. The following notations are therefore adopted: X (neutral), XH+ (protonated) and XMet (methylated). The Makaluvamines in the series under study are grouped into so-called clusters. These groups, of which there are 4, contain molecules with strong structural similarities.

Group 1 is made up of molecules A, C and H. These have a methyl substituent on either atom 1 or 2 of the pyrrolic ring (A and C), or on both (H).

Group 2 contains Makaluvamines D/J, F, M/L and V. In these molecules, hydrogen on the amino nitrogen (N₇) is replaced by a strongly electron-conjugated substituent.

Group 3 includes Makaluvamines E/G and K/P. They are distinguished by the presence of two substituents. One is a methyl substituent on the pyrrole nitrogen, and the other is a strongly electron-conjugated substituent on the amino nitrogen. Each compound in this group has the characteristics of a Group 2 compound and a Group 1 compound A.

Group 4 contains Makaluvamines N and O. These molecules are obtained by substitutions in positions 6 and 7 on the pyridine ring of the basic structure.

It’s important to note that these groups are defined regardless of the neutral or charged (protonated or methylated) nature of the pyridine nitrogen (N⁵).

Calculations are performed using Gaussian 09 software [10] . The methods used are Density Functional Theory (DFT) [11] and Time-Dependent Density Functional theory (TD-DFT) [12] - [14] . These choices are justified by the fact that hybrid functionals such as B3LYP and others, combined with a wide base of functions, lead to values in good agreement with experimental results [15] . TD-DFT is a generalization of the density functional formalism for determining electronic excitation absorption spectra [16] . The B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory was used for optimization calculations of the molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies of the Makaluvamines in the studied series. The TD-DFT method was used to calculate absorption properties, with a single point for each structure optimized at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. “Chemissian” software was used to produce the spectra.

For a molecule, the excited state corresponds to the temporary displacement of an electron from the fundamental layer to a higher level. This is observed after the absorption of a photon by the atom or molecule. The lifetime of the excited state is measured according to the following Equation (1) [17] .

$\tau =\frac{1499}{f{E}^2}$ (1)

with f and E representing the oscillation force of the transition and the wave number in cm⁻¹, respectively.

These various calculations have allowed us to determine the absorption spectra, the absorption bands, the maximum absorption wavelengths, the energy gaps of the frontier orbitals, the main electronic transitions, and the lifetimes of the Makaluvamines in the studied series.

The UV-visible absorption spectra of the I, A, C, and H molecules (a); IH⁺, AH⁺, CH⁺ and HH⁺ (b) and IMet, AMet, CMet and HMet (c) are shown in Figure 3 .

The absorption ranges of Group 1 Makaluvamines, and the reference superpose each other in the visible UV. The absorption bands of the neutral forms ( Figure 3(a) )

extend from 180 to 600 nm. In their protonated IH⁺ and methylated IMet forms, the absorption range of these molecules is reduced from 170 to 480 nm. All these Makaluvamines have two absorption maxima. The two peaks of the reference Makaluvamine I have almost equivalent intensities. Those of the absorption bands of the charged forms IH+ and IMet are distinctly different. The former is much more intense than the latter. The spectra of group 1 Makaluvamines show similar patterns. The results indicate that protonation or methylation modifies the absorption intensity of these Makaluvamines in the UV visible range. The intensity of the first absorption maximum is at least twice that of the second. For these four molecules, the main electronic transitions among those generated with TD-DFT calculations, the wavelength values of the absorption maxima, the energy gaps between the transition levels, and the lifetime (τ) of the transition [18] are grouped together in Table 1 .

Absorption wavelengths λ_max are between 220 nm and 320 nm, i.e., in the ultra-violet range. In the neutral forms of these four molecules, the principal electronic transitions associated with absorption are between HOMO and LUMO₊₂ for Makaluvamine I, and HOMO and LUMO₊₃ for Makaluvamines C and H. As for Makaluvamine A, this transition takes place between HOMO₋₁ and LUMO. When these Makaluvamines are charged, these electronic transitions involve HOMO and LUMO₊₁. This observation indicates that protonation and methylation modify the lowest unoccupied orbital involved in the electronic transitions observed during the absorption of these molecules. Wavelengths located in the Ultra-Violet show that the corresponding transitions are of the π → π* type [19] - [21] . Transition lifetimes range from 12.74 ns to 66.52 ns. Generally speaking, the charged forms of Makaluvamines have the shortest electronic transition lifetimes.

A short excited state lifetime is favorable to fluorescence. A longer lifetime could lead to competition between fluorescence and other photophysical processes. This reflects greater fluorescence activity and relatively minimizes other forms of energy conversion [22] .

The energy gaps of these compounds are relatively close. The lowest values are obtained with the charged (protonated and methylated) forms of Makaluvamines. Border orbitals are, therefore, closer together. These results suggest that it is in these forms that the molecules are more reactive.

The UV-visible absorption spectra of Makaluvamines I, D, M, F, and V (a); IH⁺, DH⁺, MH⁺, FH⁺, and VH⁺ (b) then IMet, DMet, LMet, FMet and VMet (c) are grouped together in Figure 4 .

Figure 4(a) shows that absorption occurs between 180 nm and 600 nm for

molecules I, D, F, and V. Makaluvamine M absorbs from around 220 to 850 nm. This molecule absorbs over a wider range. However, each of these Makaluvamines absorbs in the ultraviolet as well as the visible. Compared to Makaluvamine I, the absorption bands of Makaluvamines D, F, and V each show a single peak with higher intensity. Each of these has a shoulder which is observed at the same wavelength as the second peak of Makaluvamine I. Makaluvamine M has two absorption maxima. The first is very intense and is observed at the same wavelength (around 330 nm) as the shoulders of Makaluvamines D, F, and V. The second is of low intensity at around 600 nm. Figure 4(b) and Figure 4(c) show the absorption bandwidths of protonated and methylated Group 2 and I Makaluvamines, respectively. It appears that for these charged molecules, absorption peak intensities have increased compared to neutral forms. Makaluvamine M is an exception. The absorption bands of MH⁺ and MMet extend over a range from 200 to 1020 nm. These structures absorb both the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths. The intensities of the two absorption maxima of the MH⁺ and MMet structures are modified. The first decreases in intensity, and the second increases. Overall, the absorption peak intensities of group 2 Makaluvamines are all modified when they are either protonated or methylated. The majority are stronger.

For Makaluvamine I and those of group 2, the principal electronic transitions among those generated with TD-DFT calculations, the wavelength values of the absorption maxima, the energy gaps between the transition levels, and the lifetime (τ) of the transition [18] are grouped together in Table 2 .

The wavelength values of the absorption maxima (λ_max)of these neutral, protonated and methylated Makaluvamines range from 220.8 nm to 668.2 nm. These maxima are observed in the ultraviolet. When Makaluvamines L and M are protonated or methylated, the maximum absorption, hence wavelength λ_max is observed in the visible. Both structures, therefore, absorb in the therapeutic domain

[7] . They, therefore, satisfy the condition for the spectral absorption of a photosensitizer. What’s more, in these structures (LH+/MH+ and LMet/MMet), the principal electronic transitions occur only between the HOMO and the LUMO. They are of the n → π* type. These transitions have much longer lifetimes, estimated at around 155 ns. In addition, their energy gaps are small. This indicates a high reactivity of these molecular ions. All these results would proceed in favor of these forms of Makaluvamines for their photosensitizing properties. For the other Makaluvamines in group 2, transitions take place either between HOMO and a LUMO_+n (n = 1 or 2 or 4 or 8), or between a HOMO-n (n = 1 or 2 or 3 or 4) and LUMO or LUMO₊₁. These different transitions have shorter lifetimes, ranging from 11.29 ns to 127.98 ns. All these transitions are of the π → π* type [19] - [21] .

The UV-visible absorption spectra of Makaluvamines I, E/G and K/P (a); IH⁺, EH⁺/GH⁺ and KH⁺/PH⁺ (b) and IMet, EMet/GMet and KMet/PMet (c) are shown in Figure 5 .

As with reference to Makaluvamine I, the absorption band of Makaluvamine K/P extends from 180 nm to 600 nm ( Figure 5(a) ). Makaluvamine E/G absorbs from around 220 to 850 nm. The absorption bands of the reference molecule and Makaluvamine K/P have two maxima with slightly different intensities. Makaluvamine

E/G has one very intense peak and a second of low intensity.

Figure 5(b) and Figure 5(c) show that the absorption band extents of these protonated or methylated Makaluvamines are slightly modified. The intensities of the absorption peaks are also shown to be modified compared with those of the neutral forms. Makaluvamines E/G are the exception to these findings. The absorption bands of EH⁺/GH⁺ and EMet /GMet range from 200 to 1100 nm. These structures absorb both the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths. The intensities of the two absorption maxima of EH⁺/GH⁺ and EMet /GMet are modified. The first peak decreases in intensity while the second increases.

In the end, the absorption intensities of group 3 Makaluvamines are all modified when they are either protonated or methylated. They are very often stronger.

For all these molecules, the principal electronic transitions among those generated with TD-DFT calculations, the wavelength values of the absorption maxima, the energy gaps between the transition levels, and the lifetime (τ) of the transition [18] are grouped together in Table 3 .

The wavelengths λ_max of the absorption maxima of all these Makaluvamines (neutral, protonated, and methylated) range from 220.8 nm to 660.6 nm. These are observed in the ultraviolet, but in the visible only for Makaluvamines EH⁺/GH⁺ and EMet/GMet. These structures absorb in the therapeutic range (620 to 800 nm). They meet the absorption requirement for a substance that can act as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy. Consequently, their principal electronic transitions take place exclusively between the HOMO and LUMO frontier orbitals. These transitions are of the n → π* type. Their lifetimes are 93.07 ns and 156.81 ns, respectively. They are significantly longer than those of the other structures.

For the other Makaluvamines in group 3, transitions are mainly either between HOMO and LUMO_+n (n = 1 or 2), or between HOMO₋₂ and LUMO or LUMO₊₁. These transitions have shorter lifetimes, ranging from 10.36 ns to 74.08 ns. All these transitions are of the π → π* type [19] [20] [21] .

Two Makaluvamines, N and O, form this group. Figure 6 below shows the UV visible absorption spectra of Makaluvamines I, N and O (a); IH⁺, NH⁺ and OH⁺ (b) then IMet, NMet, and OMet (c).

The UV visible absorption bands range from 180 to 600 nm for the three neutral Makaluvamines I, N, and O ( Figure 6(a) ). Each molecule exhibits two ultraviolet

absorption peaks. For a given absorption peak, the λ_max values are virtually the same for all three molecules. The two absorption peaks of Makaluvamine I have similar intensities. Makaluvamine O’s first peak is more intense than those of the other Makaluvamines, and its second is less intense.

Figure 6(b) and Figure 6(c) show the absorption spectra of the protonated and methylated forms, respectively. Compared with those in Figure 6(a) , they show some modifications. In particular, the absorption band of Makaluvamine O. For Makaluvamines I and N, absorption peak intensities have increased. The methylation of O reveals three absorption maxima. The absorption region of O is also reduced between 140 nm and 390 nm.

For all these structures, the main electronic transitions among those generated with TD-DFT calculations, the wavelength values of the absorption maxima, the energy gaps between the transition levels, and the lifetime (τ) of the transition [18] are grouped together in Table 4 .

The wavelengths λ_max of the absorption maxima of these Makaluvamines (neutral, protonated, and methylated) are all observed in the ultraviolet. They range from 220.8 nm to 242.8 nm. The principal electronic transitions associated with these absorptions are between HOMO and either LUMO₊₁ or LUMO₊₂. One exception is observed in OMet. The transition involves HOMO₋₁ and LUMO. All the transitions observed are of the π → π* type [19] - [21] . Their lifetimes are short, ranging from 12.74 ns to 33.03 ns. The energy gaps in these structures are relatively large compared with those in the others. That of Makaluvamine OMet is very apparent. It reflects the great stability of this structure.

Finally, none of the structural forms of the Makaluvamines in Table 4 are absorbed in the therapeutic domain.