Synthesis and Characterization of Crown-Ether-Containing Phthalocyanines with Group-IV-A Elements

Group-IV-A phthalocyanines with four crown ether substituents have been prepared from 4′,5′-dicyanobenzo(15-crown-5), 4′,5′-diiminoisoindolino(15-crown-5), or metal-free phthalocyanine and the corresponding metal salts. The axial ligands of dichlorotetra(15-crown-5)phthalocyaninato]silicon or -tin have been converted into dihydroxy derivatives by hydrolysis in aqueous Et₃N. The catalytic effect of H₂O-free CaC1₂ in quinoline is used for the polycondensation of dihydroxysilicon-phthalocyanine to cofacially arrayed polymers. The thermal stability of group-IV-A-metal phthalocyanines is confirmed by the higher initial decomposition points (290–440°) compared to those of the corresponding transition-metal phthalocyanines.