Fifteen complexes of hypocrellin A (HA) with rare earth trivalent ions (except Pm
3+) along with the complexof HA with Sc
3+ were prepared, and their photodynamic activities, including absorption in the phototherapeuticwindow (600-900 nm); water-solubility; triplet lifetime; generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), suchas singlet oxygen (
1O
2), superoxide anion radical (O
2-), and hydroxyl radical (OH
); generation of semiquinoneanion radical; and affinity to DNA, as well as photosensitized damage on calf thymus DNA (CT DNA), werecompared in detail using the UV-visible spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, spin-trapping EPR technique,and laser photolysis technique. All complexes exhibit a red-shifted absorption spectrum, an increased absorbanceabove 600 nm, improved water solubility, and an enhanced affinity to CT DNA over the parent HA. For ionsthat possess low-energy excited states, including Ce
3+, Pr
3+, Nd
3+, Sm
3+, Eu
3+, Tb
3+, Dy
3+, Ho
3+, Er
3+,Tm
3+, and Yb
3+, the corresponding complexes show undetectable or nearly undetectable fluorescence, a tripletexcited-state lifetime, generation of ROS, and photodamage in CT DNA. In contrast, for ions that do notpossess low-energy excited states, including Sc
3+, Y
3+, La
3+, Gd
3+, and Lu
3+, the corresponding complexesexhibit higher photodamage abilities with CT DNA with respect to HA, benefitting from both their comparableor even higher
1O
2 quantum yields and an electrostatic affinity that is higher for DNA than HA.