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.