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 and photophysicochemical properties of novel mononuclear rhodium(III) phthalocyanines

Chloro axially-substituted octa(4-isopropylphenoxy)rhodium(III)phthalocyanine, (R)₈PcRhCl (3), was reacted with the nitrogenous bases pyridine (Py) and pyrazine (Pyz) to give the axially-disubstituted octa(4-isopropylphenoxy)rhodium(III)phthalocyanines [(R)₈PcRhCl(L)] (4) and (5), L = (Py) and (Pyz), respectively. In this study, the fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_F), the phosphorescence quantum yield (Φ_phos) and the photodegradation quantum yield (Φ_pd) values for the newly synthesized rhodium phthalocyanine complexes (RhPcs) 4 and 5 are reported. The complexes have also been fully characterized by elemental analysis, FD mass spectrometry, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

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, 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 photophysical studies of monocarboxy phthalocyanines containing quaternizable groups

This work reports on the synthesis and photophysical properties of novel unsymmetrically substituted monocarboxy magnesium (MgPc, 3), aluminum (ClAlPc, 4) and unmetallated (H₂Pc, 5) phthalocyanines. Magnesium phthalocyanine (3) was converted into water soluble quaternized derivative (QMgPc, 6) by reaction with methyl iodide. The synthesized phthalocyanines were characterized by IR, UV-Vis, NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. Photophysical and photochemical studies were carried out in order to determine the potential of the complexes as photosensitizers for use in photodynamic therapy. Triplet quantum yields ranged from 0.37 to 0.40 and triplet lifetimes from 110 to 140 μs in DMSO.     

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.     

Novel gallium(III) phthalocyanine derivatives – Synthesis,photophysics and photochemistry

The syntheses of gallium(III) chloride phthalocyanine {(Cl)GaPc}, octaphenoxyphthalocyaninato gallium(III) chloride {(Cl)GaOPPc} and octakis(4-tert-butylphenoxy)phthalocyaninato gallium(III) chloride {(Cl)GaOTBPPc}; as well as their photophysical and photochemical parameters are hereby presented. Fluorescence quantum yields do not vary much among the three metallophthalocyanines (MPcs); therefore it was concluded that the effect of the substituents is not significant amongst (Cl)GaPc, (Cl)GaOPPc and (Cl)GaOTBPPc. Solvents effects, however, had an effect on the results. Triplet quantum yields were found to be lower in DMSO than in DMF and toluene. The rate constants for fluorescence, intersystem crossing and internal conversion as well as fluorescence and triplet lifetimes are reported. We have also reported photodegradation and singlet oxygen quantum yields. There was no clear correlation between the later parameters. It was, however, established that the three MPcs were stable.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of phthalocyanines substituted with azo compound containing eugenol moiety

The new metallophthalocyanines (Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) substituted with azo compound containing eugenol moiety are described. Firstly, azo compound (I) containing eugenol moiety was synthesized by treating eugenol with p-hydroxyaniline. Then phthalonitrile compound (1) was synthesized by microwave-assisted synthesis method. The purification of phthalonitrile compound (1) was carried out by column chromatographic separation. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the azo compound (I) prevent base-catalyzed nucleophilic aromatic substitution of OH group belongs eugenol. At the last step, metallophthalocyanines (1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d) were synthesized by the microwave irradiation. The microwave-assisted synthesis method reduces reaction times and enhances the yield of the reactions. All phthalocyanine compounds are soluble in DMF and DMSO. The structures were confirmed by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV/Vis, IR and Mass spectra.     

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.     

Light-harvesting composites of directly connected porphyrin-phthalocyanine dyads and their coordination dimers

Directly linked porphyrin (Por)-phthalocyanine (Pc) heterodyads (H₂Por-H₂Pc and H₂Por-ZnPc) with an imidazolyl group at porphyrin’s meso-position were synthesized. Introduction of a zinc ion into the porphyrin afforded stable complementary dimers of the heterodyads. The heterodyads and their dimers gave extensive and strong absorption bands owing to the porphyrin and phthalocyanine components and induced an efficient energy transfer from porphyrin to phthalocyanine. Strong fluorescence from phthalocyanine was observed in the case of H₂Por-H₂Pc.     

A new water-soluble metal-free phthalocyanine substituted with naphthoxy-4-sulfonic acid sodium salt. Synthesis,aggregation, electrochemistry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry

A new water-soluble metal-free phthalocyanine, 2,9,16,23-tetrakis(4-(1-naphthoxy-4-sulfonic acid sodium salt))phthalocyanine NhtH₂Pc, where Nht indicates naphthoxy-4-sulfonic acid sodium salt, was synthesized and its aggregation, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties were investigated in non-aqueous solutions. The aggregation study of NhtH₂Pc showed that NhtH₂Pc had both aggregated and non-aggregated mono phthalocyanine forms in the case of the 1:1 ratio of methanol and water, while it exhibited only the characteristic UV–Vis absorption of monomeric phthalocyanine in methanol and DMSO. NhtH₂Pc displayed three reversible one-electron reductions waves, assigned to Pc³⁻/Pc²⁻, Pc⁴⁻/Pc³⁻ and Pc⁵⁻/Pc⁴⁻ couples, respectively. The electrochemical half-wave potentials of the reduction processes were located at E_1/2 = −0.510, −0.924 and −1.24 V, respectively while the anodic potential of the oxidation process was displayed at E_1/2 = 0.590 V versus pseudo Ag/AgCl. The half-wave potentials of the first and second reductions were positively shifted by 0.150 and 0.136 V compared with those of the unsubstituted metal-free phthalocyanine (H₂Pc). These shift values are almost the same as those observed for [(SO₃)₄H₂Pc]. The electrochemical studies showed that the electron-withdrawing sulfonated-naphthoxy groups on the macrocycle core made the reduction processes of NhtH₂Pc easier in DMSO solution. The well-defined UV–Vis spectra of the electro-reduced species [NhtH₂Pc]⁻ were obtained with an applied potential (E_app = −0.70 V) in a thin-layer cell. The spectroelectrochemical results showed that the first reduction product exhibited characteristic spectral changes corresponding to mono-anionic species of metal-free phthalocyanines, having long-term stability during the reduction process.     

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.     

A simple click generated probe for highly selective sequential recognition of Cu(II) and pyrophosphate

A click generated quinoline derivative (1) has been synthesized and used as a fluorescent probe for sequential recognition of Cu²⁺ and pyrophosphate (PPi) in DMSO/H₂O (1:1, v/v, HEPES 20 mM, pH = 7.4) solution. Probe 1 displays high selectivity to Cu²⁺ ions, and the in-situ prepared probe 1-Cu²⁺ exhibits high selectivity toward pyrophosphate (PPi) with emission recovery of probe 1. Therefore, 1-Cu²⁺ complex can be applied as a fluorescence turn-on probe for PPi with high selectivity and sensitivity.     

Zinc phthalocyanines-mediated photodynamic therapy induces cell death in adenocarcinoma cells

A panel of eight Zn-phthalocyanines (Zn-Pcs) (1)-(8), differently substituted on the benzo units, was synthesized either by direct cyclic-tetramerization of substituted phthalonitriles (compounds 1 and 2), or leading from the easily available tetrasulphonyl phthalocyanine to yield the sulfonamido derivatives 3 and 4, or else via the chloromethylation of precedent Zn-Pc followed by reaction with nucleophiles affording the dicationic Zn-Pcs (5) and (6) or the neutral Zn-Pcs (7) and (8). The phototoxicity of these new compounds was evaluated in vitro on human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HCT116), and their effect compared with those induced by porfimer sodium. The results are reported as IC₅₀ values, following exposure of the cells to different Zn-Pcs concentration and irradiation with a 500 W tungsten/halogen white lamp. The cationic Zn-Pc (5) and (6) together with the Zn-Pc (7), featuring 12 methoxy groups, were found good or fairly good photosensitizers while the more lipophilic Zn-Pcs (1)-(4) and (8) were found devoid of activity.     

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.     

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.     

A new protocol for synthesis of bifunctional alkynyl[vinyl or (E)-alkenyl]substituted organosilicon compounds

A new efficient route for selective synthesis of various, novel alkynyl(vinyl)substituted silicon (6) and alkynyl[(E)-alkenyl]substituted silicon compounds (9) via silylative coupling of alkynes and their products catalyzed by ruthenium(+2) complexes is described. The tandem procedure facilitates the formation of 9 synthesized in a high yield and stereoselectivity by a sequential silylative coupling of terminal alkynes with divinylsubstituted silicon compounds followed by silylative coupling reaction of 6 with styrenes in the presence of ruthenium hydride complexes ([RuHCl(CO)(PR₃)_3−n]; R = Cy (n = 1), i-Pr (n = 1), Ph (n = 0)).     

Synthesis,photophysical and nonlinear optical properties of microwave synthesized 4-tetra and octa-substituted lead phthalocyanines

This work presents the photophysical and nonlinear optical behaviour of newly synthesized complexes: 2,(3)-tetrakis(4-benzyloxyphenoxyphthalocyaninato) lead (5a) and 2,3-octakis(4-benzyloxyphenoxyphthalocyaninato) lead (6a). The nonlinear optical behaviour of complexes 5a and 6a are compared with those of 2,(3)-tetraphenoxyphthalocyaninato lead (5b), 2,(3)-tetrakis(4-t-butylphenoxyphthalocyaninato) lead (5c), 2,3-octaphenoxyphthalocyaninato lead (6b) and 2,3-octakis(4-t-butylphenoxyphthalocyaninato) lead (6c). The synthesis of 5a and 6a was performed using microwave irradiation. Photophysical properties were studied for these complexes in dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide, toluene, tetrahydrofuran and chloroform. The fluorescence spectra were different from excitation spectra due to demetallation upon excitation. High triplet quantum yields ranging from 0.80 to 0.86 (in DMSO, DMF and toluene) and low triplet lifetimes (20–50 μs in DMSO, and <10 μs in the rest of the solvents) were observed due to the presence of heavy atom. Nonlinear optical properties were studied in dimethylsulfoxide. The optical limiting threshold intensity (I_lim) for the PbPc derivatives were calculated and ranged from 2.1 to 6.6 W/cm².     

Syntheses, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of novel ball-type and mononuclear Co(II) phthalocyanines substituted at the peripheral and non-peripheral positions with binaphthol groups

Mononuclear cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) substituted at the non-peripheral 8 and peripheral positions 9 with 1,1′-binaphthyl-8,8′-diol and ball-type dinuclear Co₂Pc₂ substituted at the non-peripheral 10 and peripheral 11 positions with the same substituent are reported. The complexes with 1,1′-binaphthol-bridges were prepared from the corresponding phthalonitriles 4-7. The effects of the position of substituent on spectral, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of these complexes were also explored. The mononuclear complexes 8 and 9 exhibited one metal reduction, one ring reduction and one ring oxidation. The redox properties of the ball-type complexes 10 and 11 exhibited two reduction processes assigned to [(Co^IPc⁻²)₂]²⁻/[(Co^IPc⁻³)₂]⁴⁻ (I), (Co^IIPc⁻²)₂/[(Co^IPc⁻²)₂]²⁻ (II) and one oxidation process assigned to [(Co^IIIPc⁻²)₂]²⁺/Co^IIPc⁻²)₂ (III). The ball-type complexes are much easier to oxidize and more difficult to reduce than the corresponding monomers 8 and 9.