Synthesis and electrochemistry of new octa-substituted metal-free and metallophthalocyanines

The synthesis and characterization of metal-free (H₂-Pc) and metal-containing (Zn, Co, and Cu) derivatives of a symmetrically octa-substituted phthalocyanine derived from 4,5-bis2-(phenylthio)ethoxy]phthalonitrile were carried out by microwave irradiation. The electrochemical properties of the metal-free phthalocyanine 4 and metallophthalocyanine complexes 5 and 6 were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. We have previously investigated the electrochemical properties of the tetra substituted 2-(phenylthio)ethoxy phthalocyanines. The reduction potential of the octa-substituted metal-free phthalocyanine shifted to more negative potential as a result of the electron donating of the 2-(phenylthio)ethoxy groups on the periphery compared to those of tetra substituted. The H₂Pc and ZnPc demonstrated ligand-based electron transfer processes, while CoPc complex has a metal-based reduction process. Similar aggregation behavior was observed for octa-substituted phthalocyanines. The compounds were characterized using IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, elemental analysis, and MS spectral data.