Synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of highly soluble phthalocyanines substituted with four 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-methoxy groups

The synthesis and characterization of new peripherally tetra-3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-methoxy substituted metal-free (4), zinc (5), nickel (6), cobalt (7), copper (8) and lead (9) phthalocyanines are described for the first time in this study. The photophysical (fluorescence quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes) and photochemical (photodegradation and singlet oxygen quantum yields) properties of metal-free (4), zinc (5) and lead (9) phthalocyanines are studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Nickel (6), cobalt (7) and copper (8) phthalocyanines (6-8) did not evaluate for this purpose due to transition metal and paramagnetic behavior of central metals in the phthalocyanine cavity. The fluorescence quenching behavior of metal-free (4), zinc (5) and lead (9) phthalocyanines are also investigated. The fluorescence emissions of these phthalocyanines are effectively quenched by 1,4-benzoquinone in DMSO.     

Synthesis and solvent effects on the electronic absorption and fluorescence spectral properties of substituted zinc phthalocyanines

The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of the following tetra- and octa-substituted aryloxy zinc(II) phthalocyanines are reported for the first time: 1,(4)-(tetrabenzyloxyphenoxyphthalocyaninato) zinc(II) (7); 2,(3)-(tetrabenzyloxyphenoxyphthalocyaninato) zinc(II) (8); 2,3-(octabenzyloxyphenoxyphthalocyaninato) zinc(II) (9). The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and electronic spectroscopy. Spectroscopic properties of these compounds were investigated in different solvents. Protonation of non-peripherally substituted complex 7 resulted in the splitting and red-shifting of the Q-band. The peripherally substituted derivatives 8 and 9, did not show the split in the Q-band. Fluorescence spectra of the derivatives show Stokes shifts typical of MPc complexes.     

Synthesis and properties of crown ether functionalized coumarin substituted zinc phthalocyanine

The novel 6,7-[15-crown-5]-3-[p-(2,3-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]coumarin (1) and its non-peripherally substituted zinc phthalocyanine complex (2) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR (for compound 1), MALDI-TOF, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectral data. Fluorescence intensity changes of compound 1 have been determined by addition of Na⁺ or K⁺ ions at 25 °C in THF. The effects of the chromenone crown ether substituent of the phthalocyanine molecule on the photophysical (fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime) and photochemical (singlet oxygen generation and photodegradation) properties were also investigated. The fluorescence of the zinc phthalocyanine complex is effectively quenched by addition of 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ).     

Synthesis,characterization and electrochemistry of a new organosoluble metal-free and metallophthalocyanines

4-[2-(Phenylthio)ethoxy]phthalonitrile 3 was synthesized by nucleophilic displacement of nitro group in 4-nitrophthalonitrile with 2-(phenylthio)ethanol 1. The metal-free phthalocyanine 4 was prepared by the reaction of a dinitrile monomer with 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol. Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(I) phthalocyanines 5, 7, 8 were prepared by reaction of the dinitrile compound with the chlorides of Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(I) in DMAE. Zn(II) phthalocyanine 6, was prepared by reaction of the dinitrile compound with the acetates of Zn(II) in DMAE. Electrochemical behaviours of novel metal-free, Co(II) and Zn(II) phthalocyanines were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, potential differential pulse voltammetry techniques. The new compounds were characterized by a combination of IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV–Vis, elemental analysis and MS spectral data.     

Novel thiol-derivatized zinc(II) phthalocyanines

Preparation and characterization of tetrasubstituted zinc(II) phthalocyanines in which sulfur is not linked to the macrocycle are reported herein for the first time. Thioacetic acid S-[3-(3,4-dicyano-phenoxy)-propyl]ester (4) was synthesized in 55% yield from 4-nitrophthalonitrile and thioacetic acid S-(3-hydroxy-propyl)ester (3). Tetrasusbtituted thiol-derivatized zinc(II) phthalocyanine 5 was obtained from 4 and zinc acetate in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene in butanol. Treatment of 5 with sodium methoxide afforded phthalocyanine 6.     

Synthesis,photophysical and photochemical properties of tetra- and octa-substituted gallium and indium phthalocyanines

The synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of the tetra- and octa-[4-(benzyloxyphenoxy)] substituted gallium(III) and indium(III) phthalocyanines are reported for the first time. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and electronic spectroscopy. General trends are described for quantum yields of photodegredation, fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes, triplet lifetimes and triplet quantum yields as well as singlet oxygen quantum yields of these compounds in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Substituted indium phthalocyanine complexes (7b–9b) showed much higher quantum yields of triplet state and shorter triplet lifetimes, compared to the substituted GaPc derivatives due to enhanced intersystem crossing (ISC) in the former. The gallium and indium phthalocyanine complexes showed phototransformation during laser irradiation due to ring reduction. The singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ), which give an indication of the potential of the complexes as photosensitizers in applications where singlet oxygen is required (Type II mechanism) ranged from 0.51 to 0.94. Thus, these complexes show potential as photodynamic therapy of cancer.     

Comparative studies of photophysical and electrochemical properties of sulfur-containing substituted metal-free and metallophthalocyanines

The synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties of soluble sulfur-containing 4-(methylthio) benzenethiol substituted, non-peripherally metal-free and metallo (Zn, Ga, Co, and Mn) phthalocyanine complexes (2–6) are reported for the first time. The new phthalocyanines have been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, mass and UV–Vis spectroscopy techniques. Spectroscopic properties of these compounds were investigated in different solvents. Spectral and photophysical (fluorescence quantum yield) properties of metal free (2), zinc(II) (3), and gallium(III) phthalocyanines (4) were reported in different solvents toluene, tetrahydrofuran, and dimethyl sulfoxide. These results suggest that the solvents play role on the fluorescence quantum yields Φ _F of the synthesized complexes (2–4). The electrochemical studies exhibit that while complexes (3) and (4) give only Pc ring-based redox processes, complexes (5) and (6) give both metal and ring-based redox reactions due to the energy level of metal in the Pc core lie between the HOMO and the LUMO of the ring.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new organo-soluble metal-free and metallophthalocyanines bearing flexible moieties

This paper describes a new symmetric metal-free phthalocyanine and its transition metal complexes which were prepared by a condensation of 1,2-dihydroacenaphthylen-1-ol 1 and 4-nitro phthalonitrile 2 with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) salts in 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol, respectively. The novel phthalocyanines bearing oxygen donor atoms on peripheral position have been characterized by IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, Mass spectra and elemental analysis. The thermal behaviours of 4-8 were investigated by TG/DTA.     

Synthesis, characterization, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of phthalocyanines substituted with four 3-ferrocenyl-7-oxycoumarin moieties

The synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of the tetra-(3-ferrocenyl-7-oxycoumarin)-substituted zinc (II) and cobalt (II) phthalocyanines (3 and 4) are reported for the first time. The synthesis of novel 3-ferrocenyl-7-hydroxycoumarin (1) was performed according to Perkin reaction, and the ligand, 7-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)-3-ferrocenylcoumarin (2), was synthesized by the reaction of 3-ferrocenyl-7-hydroxycoumarin with 4-nitrophthalonitrile in the presence of K₂CO₃ as the base in dry dimethylformamide. The preparation of the corresponding zinc (II) and cobalt (II) metallo phthalocyanines (3 and 4) substituted with 3-ferrocenyl-7-oxycoumarin moieties at β-positions of the phthalocyanine ring was achieved by the cyclotetramerization of the coumarin ligand (2) with relevant metal(II) acetates in dry 2-dimethylaminoethanol. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, Mass and electronic spectroscopy. The fluorescence property of the zinc metallo phthalocyanine (3) is strongly affected by the presence of ferrocenyl moiety. The ferrocenyl moieties were very efficient in quenching the excited state of 3, which show very poor fluorescent intensity. The electrochemical properties of the complexes were also investigated by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry techniques in non-aqueous medium. It was found that the redox-active ferrocene substituents are reduced concurrently at one potential.     

Highly photostable silicon(IV) phthalocyanines containing adamantane moieties: synthesis, structure, and properties

Two new axially disubstituted silicon(IV) phthalocyanines 1 and 2 have been synthesized by treating silicon phthalocyanine dichloride with 1-adamantanemethanol or 1-adamamtaneethanol, respectively. The crystal structure of compound 2 has been characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Both compounds are efficient singlet-oxygen generator with a quantum yield of 0.40-0.43. With two rigid bulky adamantane moieties at the axial positions, these phthalocyanines not only are essentially non-aggregated in common solvents, but also exhibit a high photostability. They are about 100 times more stable than zinc phthalocyanine under the same irradiation conditions. With the goal of enhancing the biocompatibilities, interactions and conjugations of these two compounds with bovine serum albumin have also been investigated.     

Synthesis, photophysical and thermal studies of symmetrical and unsymmetrical zinc phthalocyanines

The novel zinc phthalocyanine (3) with malonylester and chloro groups on each benzo unit was synthesized from 4-diethoxymalonyl-5-chloro-phthalonitrile (1). The unsymmetrically substituted zinc phthalocyanine (5), carrying hexylthio, malonylester and chloro groups at the periphery, was obtained from 4-diethoxymalonyl-5-chloro-phthalonitrile (1) and 4,5-bis-hexylsulfanyl-phthalonitrile (2) by a statistical condensation method as an A₃B type unsymmetrical phthalocyanine compound. Transesterification of the malonyl esters of the new symmetrical and unsymmetrical phthalocyanines occurred during the cyclotetramerization of dinitriles with Zn(CH₃COO)₂ in 1-pentanol in the presence of DBU. Octa-hexylthio-substituted zinc phthalocyanine (4) was prepared according to the literature. The photophysical and thermal properties of all the phthalocyanine complexes are described for the first time. These novel symmetrical and unsymmetrical phthalocyanine macrocycles have been characterized by a series of spectroscopic methods including ¹H NMR, electronic absorption, IR and mass spectroscopy, in addition to elemental analysis. Their narrow long wavelength absorption band shows that the bulky substituents on the periphery prevent aggregation. The unsymmetrically substituted phthalocyanine (5) gave a greater fluorescence quantum yield in chloroform than the symmetrical analogues (3 and 4).     

Synthesis of an octasubstituted galactose zinc(II) phthalocyanine

4,5-Bis(1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranos-6-yl)phthalonitrile (3) was prepared by S_NAr reaction of diacetone galactose 1 and 4,5-difluorophthalonitrile (2) in 96% yield. Cyclotetramerization of 3 was achieved via its isoindoline derivative 4, affording the peripherally octasubstituted galactose zinc(II) phthalocyanine 5 in 29% yield. Deprotection of 5 gave the highly water soluble octasubstituted galactose zinc(II) phthalocyanine 6 in 81% yield which will be applied as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline tetra- and octa-substituted novel phthalocyanines

Methylene-bridged tetra- and octa-(13,17-dioxa nonacosane-15 sulfanyl)-substituted metal free- and Ni(II) phthalocyanines were synthesized from the corresponding phthalonitrile (3, 4) derivatives in the presence of the anhydrous metal salt (NiCl₂) or a strong organic base. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, UV/Vis, IR, NMR and mass spectra. The mesogenic properties of these materials were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction investigations. X-ray diffraction patterns of the mesophase confirm that tetra- and octa-substituted compounds (3a–b, 4a–b) form hexagonal columnar mesophases (Col_h). We indicated that addition of the methylene-bridged phthalocyanine (Pc) core can either decrease the liquid crystal phase transition temperatures or extend the liquid crystal temperature range to include room temperature. Also, the Pc compounds (3a, 3b, 4a and 4b) are liquid crystals at room temperature. These properties of the Pc complexes provide some advantages such as easily obtaining an ordered film for sensor applications. Computational modelling work was combined with X-ray diffraction investigation to validate the diameter of the phthalocyanine molecule (3b).     

Electrochemical behavior of phthalocyanines containing high oxidation state central metals: Titanium(IV), vanadium(IV), and tantalum(V)

The syntheses of 2,(3)-(peripheral) and 1,(4)-(non-peripheral) (2-mercaptopyridine)phthalocyanine complexes of titanium(IV) oxide (5a and 6a, respectively), vanadium(IV) oxide (7a and 8a, respectively) and tantalum(V) hydroxide (9a, peripheral only) and their electrochemical characterization are presented in this report. Their electrochemistry is compared to that of thiophenyl and thiobenzyl substituted derivatives. The non-peripherally substituted complexes are more difficult to reduce than peripherally substituted derivatives. In addition, the mercaptopyridine substituted derivatives are more difficult to reduce compared to benzylmercapto and phenylmercapto derivatives, and aryl easier reduce than alkyl substitution. Spectroelectrochemistry of the complexes confirmed metal and ring redox processes for TaPc and TiPc derivatives and ring based processes only for VPc complexes.     

Synthesis and electrochemistry of tetrakis(7-coumarinthio-4-methyl)-phthalocyanines,and preparation of their cinnamic acid and sodium cinnamate derivatives

Novel water soluble free-base, Zn(II) and Co(II) metallo phthalocyanines with four cinnamic acid moieties were prepared from the corresponding tetrakis(7-coumarinthio-4-methyl)-phthalocyanine by the lactone ring opening reaction. The new compounds were purified and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, Maldi-TOF, FT-IR and UV–Vis spectral data. Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of the 2,9,16,23-tetrakis(7-coumarinthio-4-methyl) substituted free-base 1a, Zn(II) 1b and Co(II) 1c phthalocyanines, employed as the starting compounds have been studied. This allowed us not only to identify metal- and phthalocyanine ring-based redox processes of the complexes, but also the effect of aggregation on these processes.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of crown ether functionalized coumarin substituted cobalt and copper phthalocyanines

The synthesis of novel 6,7-[15-crown-5]-3-[p-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]coumarin (1)/6,7-[15-crown-5]-3-[p-(2,3-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]coumarin (2) and their peripherally/non-peripherally cobalt and copper phthalocyanine complexes (3-6) have been prepared and characterized by elementel analysis, ¹H-NMR, MALDI-TOF, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectral data. Fluorescence intensity changes of compound 1 and 2 have been determined by addition of Na⁺ or K⁺ ions at 25 °C in THF. The effect of substitution type on the redox and aggregation behaviour of the compounds was investigated by voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry.     

The first example of anomeric glycoconjugation to phthalocyanines

Preparation and characterization of peripherally glucose substituted zinc(II) phthalocyanine 6, linked via the anomeric carbon through a novel glycosidation method is reported for the first time, for which classical Pc template chemistry with the unprotected phthalonitrile 4 could be used. Phthalocyanine 6 was formed in high yield and is displaying a high solubility in water as a primary condition for a potential biological application.     

Synthesis,characterization and electrochemical properties of novel metal free and zinc(II) phthalocyanines of ball and clamshell types

The phthalodinitrile derivative 1 was prepared by the reaction of 4-nitrophthalonitrile and 1,3-dimethoxy-4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene in dry dimethylsulfoxide as the solvent, in the presence of the base K₂CO₃, by nucleophilic substitution of an activated nitro group in an aromatic ring. The tetramerization of compound 1 gave a binuclear zinc(II) phthalocyanine and a metal-free phthalocyanine of the ball type, 2 and 3, respectively. Its condensation with 4,5-bis(hexylthio)phthalonitrile results in a binuclear phthalocyanine of the clamshell type, 4. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, UV–Vis, IR, MS and ¹H NMR spectra. The electronic spectra exhibit an intense π → π^∗ transition with characteristic Q and B bands of the phthalocyanine core. The electrochemical properties of 2–4 were examined by cyclic voltammetry in non-aqueous media. The voltammetric results showed that while there is no considerable interaction between the two phthalocyanine rings in 4, the splitting of a molecular orbital occurs as a result of the strong interaction between the phthalocyanine rings in 2 and 3.     

Synthesis and characterization of metal-free and metallophthalocyanines containing N2S2-type macrocyclic moieties linked ferrocenyl groups

The new metal-free (4) and metallophthalocyanines (5) carrying macrocyclic moieties linked ferrocenyl groups have been synthesized by direct cyclotetramerization of the pre-cursor, 12,13-dicyano-4,7-bis(ferrocenylmethyl)-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-octahydrocyclobenzo[k]-4,7-diaza-1,10-dithiacyclododecine (3) which has been prepared by the macrocyclization reaction of 1,2-bis(2-iodoethylmercapto)-4,5-dicyanobenzene (1) with N,N′-ethylenebis-(ferroceneylmethyl)amine (2), in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as a strong organic base. Nickel (II) phthalocyanine (5) was synthesized by the reaction of metal-free phthalocyanine with anhydrous NiCl₂ in dry quinoline. The target compound and its intermediates have been characterized by a combination of elemental analysis and ¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR, UV-Vis and MS spectral data.     

Photophysical properties and photocytotoxicity of novel phthalocyanines - potentially useful for their application in photodynamic therapy

Two novel zinc(II) phthalocyanines bearing non-peripheral ester-alkyloxy substituents (Pc-4 and Pc-5) were synthesized, by a two-step procedure starting from 2,3-dicyanohydroquinone. Both sensitizers show promising photophysical properties, including solvatochromic study, qualitative evaluation of emission, aggregation behavior and singlet oxygen generation. It was proven that the photodynamic activity of the compounds studied depends on the molecular oxygen level. Comparison of the quantum yields of singlet oxygen generation as well as the oxidation rate constants using 1,3-diphenylisobenzofurane before and after deaeration proved the photodynamic effect of Pc-4 and Pc-5 to be governed by the photosensitization mechanism II. Changes in the quantities of the compounds exposed to irradiation were also estimated. Upon their exposure to light the changes in intensity of the Q band were monitored. The photodecomposition of Pc-4 and Pc-5 in DMSO or DMF solutions was found to proceed according to the first order kinetic reaction in two stages.The photosensitizing effect of Pc-4 in HSC-3 cells was significantly lower than that of ZnPc. Pc-4 was ineffective at 0.1 μM, while a low, approx. 15% photocytotoxicity was observed at 5 μM, at a distance of 5 and 10 cm. The efficacy of Pc-4 in photokilling of cultured cells is affected by hydrophobicity and the aggregation status of the photosensitizer.