Conformational effects, molecular orbitals, and reaction activities of bis(phthalocyaninato) lanthanum double-deckers: density functional theory calculations

The conformational effects on the frontier molecular orbital energy and stability for reduced, neutral, and oxidized bis(phthalocyaninato) lanthanum double-deckers have been revealed on the basis of density functional theory calculations. Calculation results indicate that the frontier orbital coupling degree changes along with the molecular conformation of the double-decker compound, first decreasing along with the increase of rotation angle β from 0 to 20° and then increasing along with the increase of rotation angle β from 20 to 45°. In addition, the stability for the three forms of double-decker changes in the same order, but first increasing and then decreasing along with the change of the rotation angle β in the range of 0 to 45° with a rotation energy barrier of (31.3 ± 3.1) kJ mol(-1) at 20°. This reveals that the rotation of the two phthalocyanine rings for the reduced, neutral, and oxidized bis(phthalocyaninato) lanthanum double-deckers are able to occur at room temperature. Nevertheless, the superior coordination reaction activity of the neutral bis(phthalocyaninato) lanthanum double-decker complex over their reduced form in forming sandwich-type tris(phthalocyaninato) lanthanum triple-decker compounds has also been clearly clarified on the basis of comparative calculations on the Fukui function of [La(Pc)(2)] and [La(Pc)(2)](-) using the DFT method. Fukui function analysis reveals the reaction center of the 18-electron-π-conjugated core in the bis(phthalocyaninato) lanthanum double-decker molecule against both electrophilic and radical attack. Nevertheless, the larger global chemical softness (S) for the neutral [La(Pc)(2)] than the reduced form [La(Pc)(2)](-) indicates the higher reaction activity of the former form over the latter one. This explains well the experimental findings that only the neutral instead of the reduced form of bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth double-decker complexes, containing at least one phthalocyanine ligand, could be employed as starting materials towards the preparation of tris(tetrapyrrole) rare earth triple-decker complexes by a solution process.     

Controlling the nature of mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare-earth(III) double-decker complexes: the effects of nonperipheral alkoxy substitution of the phthalocyanine ligand

The half-sandwich rare-earth complexes [M(III)(acac)(TClPP)] (M = Sm, Eu, Y; TClPP = meso-tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)porphyrinate; acac = acetylacetonate), generated in situ from [M(acac)3] x n H2O and H2(TClPP), were treated with 1,8,15,22-tetrakis(3-pentyloxy)phthalocyanine [H2{Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4}] (Pc = phthalocyaninate) under reflux in n-octanol to yield both the neutral nonprotonated and protonated (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare-earth double-decker complexes, [M(III){Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4}(TClPP)] (1-3) and [M(III)H{Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4}(TClPP)] (4-6), respectively. In contrast, reaction of [Y(III)(acac)(TClPP)] with 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(1-butyloxy)phthalocyanine [H2Pc(alpha-OC4H9)8] gave only the protonated double-decker complex [Y(III)H{Pc(alpha-OC4H9)8}(TClPP)] (7). These observations clearly show the importance of the number and positions of substituents on the phthalocyanine ligand in controlling the nature of the (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare-earth double-deckers obtained. In particular, alpha-alkoxylation of the phthalocyanine ligand is found to stabilize the protonated form, a fact supported by molecular-orbital calculations. A combination of mass spectrometry, NMR, UV-visible, near-IR, MCD, and IR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses, facilitated the differentiation of the newly prepared neutral nonprotonated and protonated double-decker complexes. The crystal structure of the protonated form has been determined for the first time.     

Double-decker phthalocyanine complex: Scanning tunneling microscopy study of film formation and spin properties

We review recent studies of double-decker and triple-decker phthalocyanine (Pc) molecules adsorbed on surfaces in terms of the bonding configuration, electronic structure and spin state.     

Arrays of double-decker porphyrins on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

Three double-decker complexes of cerium(IV) were synthesized, which commonly have a 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-docosyloxyphenyl)porphyrin (C22OPP) moiety as one of the two tetrapyrrole rings. The three complexes-Ce(Pc)(C22OPP), Ce(C22OPP)2, and Ce(BPEPP)(C22OPP)-are distinguished by the other rings, which are Pc (=phthalocyanine), C22OPP, and BPEPP (=5,15-bis[4-(phenylethynyl)phenyl]porphyrin), respectively. The rate of inter-ring rotation of Ce(BPEPP)(C22OPP) was estimated to be approximately 3 s(-1) in solution at room temperature. These complexes assemble into ordered arrays at the interface of 1-phenyloctane and the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface, owing to the affinity of the long alkyl chains toward the surface, as revealed by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) with molecular resolution. The shape of the upper ring is reflected in the STM image. Thus, Ce(Pc)(C22OPP), Ce(C22OPP)2, and Ce(BPEPP)(C22OPP) were observed as circular, square, and elliptic features, respectively. Possible molecular arrangements in the array of Ce(BPEPP)(C22OPP) are proposed by comparing STM images and molecular models. In the mixed arrays of Ce(BPEPP)(C22OPP) and H2(C22OPP), the double-decker complexes were distinguished by brighter features. Competitive adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption of Ce(BPEPP)(C22OPP) is less favorable than that of H2(C22OPP) by DeltaG(app) = 2.7 kJ mol(-1). Ce(BPEPP)(C22OPP) molecules appeared elliptic when placed within their own row, while they appeared isotropic when flanked by H2(C22OPP) molecules. Implications of the differences in the observed shapes to the inter-ring rotation are discussed.     

Optically active mixed phthalocyaninato-porphyrinato rare-earth double-decker complexes: synthesis, spectroscopy, and solvent-dependent molecular conformations

Reaction between the optically active metal-free phthalocyanine with a pi system with noncentrosymmetrical C(2) [corrected] symmetry ((S)- and (R)-H(2){Pc(OBNP)(2)}; OBNP=binaphthylphthalocyanine) and half-sandwich complexes [M(III)(acac)(TClPP)] (M=Y, Eu; TClPP=meso-tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)porphyrinate; acac=acetylacetonate), which were generated in situ from [M(acac)(3)].n H(2)O and H(2)(TClPP) in n-octanol at reflux, provided the first optically active protonated mixed phthalocyaninato-porphyrinato rare-earth double-decker complexes [M(III)H{Pc(OBNP)(2)}(TClPP)] (M=Y, Eu) in good yield. In addition to electronic absorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism results, circular dichroism shows different spectroscopic features of these mixed-ring rare-earth double-decker compounds in different solvents, such as DMF and CHCl(3), which was well-reproduced on the basis of time-dependent density functional theory calculation results for the yttrium species (S)-[Y(III){Pc(OBNP)(2)}(Por)](-) (Por=porphyrinate, which is obtained by removing the four chlorophenyl groups from the TClPP ligand) in terms of the change in the rotation angle between the two macrocyclic ligands in the double-decker molecules. These results revealed the solvent-dependent nature of the molecular conformation of mixed-ring rare-earth double-decker complexes, which suggests a new way of tuning the optical and the electrochemical properties of sandwich-type bis(tetrapyrrole)-metal double-decker complexes in solution by changing the solvent.     

Electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of tert-butylcalix[4]arene bridged bis double-decker lutetium(III) phthalocyanine, Lu2Pc4 and dimeric lutetium(III) phthalocyanine, Lu2Pc2(OAc)2

In this study, electrochemical, electrochromic and spectroelectrochemical properties of a tert-butylcalix[4]arene bridged bis double-decker lutetium(III) phthalocyanine (Lu₂Pc₄ 2) were investigated explicitly as compared with a tert-butylcalix[4]arene bridged dimeric lutetium(III) phthalocyanine [Lu₂Pc₂(OAc)₂ 1]. Distinctive differences between electrochemical and electrochromic properties of 1 and 2 were detected. Moreover, the properties of 1 and 2 were compared with previously reported S₄(CH₂)₄ bridged Lu₂Pc₂(OAc)₂ and Lu₂Pc₄. The calixarene bridged phthalocyanine (Pc) compounds, 1 and 2 showed well-defined electrochromic behaviour with green-blue and blue-purple colour transitions. The enhanced electrochromic properties of 2, as compared to 1, were attributed to its double-decker structure, probably allowing the formation of suitable ion channels for the counter ion movement in the solid film.     

Sandwich-type mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth double-decker complexes with decreased molecular symmetry of Cs: single crystal structure and self-assembled nano-structure

Two novel sandwich-type mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth double-decker complexes with decreased molecular symmetry of Cs M(Pc)[D(NHC(8)H(17))(2)PP] [M = Eu, Lu; Pc = unsubstituted phthalocyaninate; D(NHC(8)H(17))(2)PP = 5,10-di(phenyl)-15,20-di(4-octylamino-phenyl)porphyrinate] (1, 2) have been designed, prepared, and characterized. The single crystal and molecular structure of the Eu analogue has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, revealing the head-to-tail supramolecular chains formed from closely bound double-decker molecules depending on the N-H-N hydrogen bonds between one octyl-substituted amidocyanogen group attached at the p-position of meso-attached phenyl group of the porphyrin ligand in the mixed ring double-decker molecule and one aza-nitrogen atom of the phthalocyanine ring in the neighboring double-decker molecule in a zigzag form. Their self-assembled nano-structures have been investigated by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Intermolecular H-N-H hydrogen bonding interaction leads to the formation of nano-structures with fusiform morphology with 220-250 nm average width and about 10 μm length for 1 and 300 nm width and 3-5 μm length for 2, respectively, revealing the effect of molecular size in the direction perpendicular to the tetrapyrrole ring on the dimensions of self-assembled nano-structures.     

Studies of "pinwheel-like" bis[1,8,15,22-tetrakis(3-pentyloxy)phthalocyaninato] rare earth(III) double-decker complexes

Homoleptic bis(phthalocyaninato) rare-earth double-deckers complexes [M(III)[Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4]2] (M = Eu, Y, Lu; Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4 = 1,8,15,22-tetrakis(3-pentyloxy)phthalocyaninate) have been prepared by treating the metal-free phthalocyanine H2Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4 with the corresponding M(acac)3.nH2O (acac = acetylacetonate) in refluxing n-octanol. Due to the C4h symmetry of the Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4 ligand and the double-decker structure, all the reactions give a mixture of two stereoisomers with C4h and D4 symmetry. The former isomer, which is a major product, can be partially separated by recrystallization due to its higher crystallinity. The molecular structure of the major isomer of the Y analogue has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The metal center is eight-coordinate bound to the isoindole nitrogen atoms of the two phthalocyaninato ligands, forming a distorted square antiprism. Such an arrangement leads to an interesting pinwheel structure when viewed along the C4 axis, which assumes a very unusual S8 symmetry. The major isomers of all these double-deckers have also been characterized with a wide range of spectroscopic methods. A systematic investigation of their electronic absorption and electrochemical data reveals that the pi-pi interaction between the two Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4 rings is weaker than that for the corresponding unsubstituted or beta-substituted bis(phthalocyaninato) analogues.     

Vibrational spectra of mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) yttrium(III) double-decker complexes: Density functional theory calculations

The vibrational (IR and Raman) spectra of neutral and reduced mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) yttrium(III) double-decker complexes Y(Pc)(Por) and [Y(Pc)(Por)]⁻ [the simplified models of mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth(III) complexes] are studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The simulated IR and Raman spectra of Y(Pc)(Por) are compared with the experimental IR spectrum of Tb(Pc)(TClPP) and Raman spectrum of Y(Pc)(TClPP), respectively, and many bands can acceptably fit in spite of the different species. On the basis of comparison with the simulated spectra of PbPc and PbPor together with the assistance of normal coordinate analysis, the calculated frequencies in their IR and Raman spectra are identified in terms of the vibrational mode of different ligand for the first time. The calculated frequency at 1048 cm⁻¹ in the IR spectrum of [Y(Pc)(Por)]⁻ with contribution from both Pc and Por vibrational modes is the characteristic IR vibrational mode of the reduced double-decker, while the characteristic IR vibrational mode of Y(Pc)(Por) attributed from the vibration of phthalocyanine monoanion radical Pc⁻ appears at 1257 cm⁻¹. In line with our previous experimental findings that the Raman spectra of M(Pc)(TPP) and M(Pc)(TClPP) are dominated by the Pc vibrational modes, theoretical calculations indicate that most of the Raman vibrational modes contributed from Por ring are covered up by those of Pc ring and thus are hard to be recognized in the Raman spectra of [Y(Pc)(Por)]⁻ and Y(Pc)(Por) due to their much weaker intensity in comparison with that of Pc ligand. Comparison in the IR and Raman spectra between [Y(Pc)(Por)]⁻ and Y(Pc)(Por) also suggests the localization of hole on the Pc ring in the neutral double-decker Y(Pc)(Por). The present work, representing the first detailed DFT study on the vibrational spectra of mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth(III) double-decker complexes, is useful in helping to understand the vibrational spectroscopic properties of this series of mixed tetrapyrrole ring complexes.     

The first slipped pseudo-quadruple-decker complex of phthalocyanines

The first slipped pseudo-quadruple-decker complex of phthalocyanines was formed unexpectedly upon treatment of the protonated double-decker SmIIIH(Pc)[Pc(alpha-OC4H9)8] with NaOH. The supramolecular structure contains two double-decker units linked by two sodium ions by an extremely rare coordination mode of phthalocyanines in which an aza nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms from neighboring alkoxy substituents form a tridentate ligand.     

Electron-donating alkoxy-group-driven synthesis of heteroleptic tris(phthalocyaninato) lanthanide(III) triple-deckers with symmetrical molecular structure

Reaction of heteroleptic bis(phthalocyaninato) lanthanide compounds [(Pc)M{Pc(OC8H17)8}] [H2Pc=unsubstituted phthalocyanine; H2Pc(OC8H17)8 = 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(octyloxy)phthalocyanine] with monomeric complexes [(Pc)M(acac)] (Hacac=acetylacetone), both of which generated in situ, led to the isolation of heteroleptic phthalocyaninato-[2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(octyloxy)phthalocyaninato] lanthainde(III) triple-decker complexes [(Pc)M{Pc(OC8H17)8}] (M=Gd-Lu) (1-8) as the sole product. Heterodinuclear analogues [(Pc)Lu{Pc(OC8H17)8}M(Pc)] (M=Gd-Yb) (9-15) were obtained in a similar manner from the reaction of [(Pc)M{Pc(OC8H17)8}] (M=Gd-Yb) and [(Pc)Lu(acac)]. The molecular structures of the herterodinuclear compound [(Pc)Lu{Pc(OC8H17)8}Er(Pc)] (13) and its homodinuclear counterparts [(Pc)M{Pc(OC8H17)8}M(Pc)] (M=Er, Lu) (5, 8) have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis; these structures exhibit a symmetrical molecular structure with one inner planar Pc(OC8H17)8 ligand and two outer domed Pc ligands. In addition to various spectroscopic analyses, the electrochemistry of these compounds has also been studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods, revealing the gradually enhanced pi-pi interactions among the phthalocyanine rings in the triple-deckers along with the lanthanide contraction.     

Stacking Control by Molecular Symmetry of Sterically Protected Phthalocyanines

The synthesis and characterization of two phthalocyanine (Pc) structural isomers, 1 and 2, in which four 2,6-di(hexyloxy)phenyl units were attached directly to the 1,8,15,22- or 1,4,15,18-positions of the Pc rings, are described. Both Pcs 1 and 2 exhibited low melting points, i.e., 120 and 130 °C respectively, due to the reduction in intermolecular π-π interaction among the Pc rings caused by the steric hindrance of 2,6-dihexyloxybenzene units. The thermal behaviors were investigated with temperature-controlled polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, and absorption spectral analyses. Pc 1, having C_4h molecular symmetry, organized into a lamellar structure containing lateral assemblies of Pc rings. In contrast, the other Pc 2 revealed the formation of metastable crystalline phases, including disordered stacks of Pcs due to rapid cooling from a melted liquid.     

Spectroscopic consideration of the surface potential built across phthalocyanine thin films on a metal electrode

The nonlinear optical properties of tert-butyl phthalocyanine copper Langmuir-Blodgett (CuttbPc LB) films and vacuum-evaporated phthalocyanine copper (CuPc) films deposited on a metal surface were investigated by second-harmonic generation (SHG) spectroscopy. At the organic/metal interface, a space charge field is formed due to the presence of excess charge injected from a metal electrode to the organic layer. Since the Pc molecule has D4h symmetry, an inversion center is present and the optical SH process is not allowed under the electric-dipole approximation. However, the space charge field at the interface directly influences the symmetric structure of the electrons in the Pc molecule. We investigated the contributions of the surface potential to the SHG using Pc LB and vacuum-evaporated films deposited on aluminum (Al) and gold (Au) metal electrodes, where a distinctive difference in the spectrum for the Pc films on the Al and Au surfaces was observed. The contribution of the surface potential was revealed based on the resonant conditions of the SH process, taking into account the electric-quadrupole transition and dc-field-induced electric-dipole transition.     

Efficient scrambling-free synthesis of heteroleptic terbium triple-decker (porphyrinato)(crown-phthalocyaninates)

New heteroleptic triple-decker terbium complexes of general structure [Br(4)TPP]Tb[(15C5)(4)Pc]Tb[Br(4)TPP] (Tb-TD) and [Br(4)TPP]Tb[(15C5)(4)Pc]Tb[(15C5)(4)Pc] (Tb-TD*) (Br(4)TPP = tetrakis-meso-(4-bromophenyl)-porphyrin, (15C5)(4)Pc = tetra-(15-crown-5)-phthalocyanine) are synthesized with 48% and 57% yields, respectively. The triple-decker complexes were prepared by interaction of generated in situ terbium monoporphyrinate [Br(4)TPP]Tb(acac) and corresponding double-decker precursors. The heteroleptic double-decker precursor [Br(4)TPP]Tb[(15C5)(4)Pc] was prepared for the first time in a two step one-pot synthesis. No ligand scrambling was observed in the synthesis of Tb-TD, while 4% scrambling was determined in the case of Tb-TD*. High yields of target triple-decker complexes were achieved despite the presence of electron-donating crown-ether fragments with low thermal stability at the phthalocyanine deck. Analysis of lanthanide-induced paramagnetic shifts of protons of Tb-TD together with data of previously reported La, Pr, Nd and Eu analogues allowed precise separation of contributions of contact and dipolar lanthanide terms as well as verification of isostructurality of complexes within the series.     

Effect of peripheral hydrophobic alkoxy substitution on the organic field effect transistor performance of amphiphilic tris(phthalocyaninato) europium triple-decker complexes

A series of four amphiphilic heteroleptic tris(phthalocyaninato) europium complexes with different lengths of hydrophobic alkoxy substituents on one outer phthalocyanine ligand [Pc(15C5)4]Eu[Pc(15C5)4]Eu[Pc(OCnH(2n+1))8] (n = 4, 6, 10,12) (1, 2, 4, and 5) was designed and prepared. Their film forming and organic field effect transistor properties have been systematically studied in comparison with analogous [Pc(15C5)4]Eu[Pc(15C5)4]Eu[Pc(OC8H17)8] (3). Experimental results showed that all these typical amphiphilic sandwich triple-decker molecules have been fabricated into highly ordered films by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique, which displays carrier mobility in the direction parallel to the aromatic phthalocyanine rings in the range of 0.0032-0.60 cm2 V(-1) s(-1) depending on the length of the hydrophobic alkoxy substituents. This is rationalized on the basis of comparative morphology analysis results of the LB films by the atomic force microscopy technique.     

Methyloxy Substituted Heteroleptic Bis(phthalocyaninato) Yttrium Complexes: Density Functional Calculations

The effects of alkyloxy substituents attached to one phthalocyanine ligand of three heteroleptic bis(phthalocyaninato) yttrium complexes Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₄] ( 1 ), Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₈] ( 2 ), and Y(Pc)[Pc(β‐OCH₃)₈] ( 3 ), as well as their reduction products {Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₄]}^? ( 4 ), {Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₈]}^? ( 5 ), and {Y(Pc)[Pc(β‐OCH₃)₈]}^? ( 6 ) [H₂Pc(α‐OCH₃)₄=1,8,15,22‐tetrakis(methyloxy)phthalocyanine; H₂Pc(α‐OCH₃)₈=1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25‐octakis(methyloxy)phthalocyanine; H₂Pc(β‐OCH₃)₈=2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24‐octakis(methyloxy)phthalocyanine] are studied by DFT calculations. Good consistency is found between the calculated results and experimental data for the electronic absorption, IR, and Raman spectra of 1 and 3 . Introduction of electron‐donating methyloxy groups on one phthalocyanine ring of the heteroleptic double‐deckers induces structural deformation in both phthalocyanine ligands, electron transfer between the two phthalocyanine rings, changes in orbital energy and composition, shift of electronic absorption bands, and different vibrational modes of the unsubstituted and substituted phthalocyanine ligands in the IR and Raman spectra in comparison with the unsubstituted homoleptic counterpart Y(Pc)₂. The calculations reveal that incorporation of methyloxy substituents at the nonperipheral positions has greater influence on the structure and spectroscopic properties of bis(phthalocyaninato) yttrium double‐deckers than at the peripheral positions, which increases with increasing number of substituents. Nevertheless, the substituent effect of alkyloxy substituents at one phthalocyanine ligand of the double‐decker on the unsubstituted phthalocyanine ring and on the whole molecule and the importance of the position and number of alkyloxy substituents are discussed. In addition, the effect of reducing 1 – 3 to 4 – 6 on the structure and spectroscopic properties of the bis(phthalocyaninato) yttrium compounds is also discussed. This systemic DFT study is not only useful for understanding the structure and spectroscopic properties of bis(phthalocyaninato) rare earth metal complexes but also helpful in designing and preparing double‐deckers with tunable structure and properties.     

Metal-cation-mediated nanocrystal arrays of sandwich-type (phthalocyaninato) [tetrakis(4-pyridyl)porphyrinato] cerium complex formed at the water-chloroform interface

Regular square, wirelike, quadrate, and rodlike nanocrystal arrays of Cd2+, Hg2+, or Ag+ metal-cation-mediated sandwich-type mixed (phthalocyaninato) [5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-pyridyl)poprhyrinato] cerium(III) double-decker complex Ce(Pc)(TPyP) have been successfully prepared at the water-chloroform interface. The nanocrystal growth processes were monitored by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which reveals that different morphologies of nanocrystals have been fabricated from double-decker molecules connected by different kinds of metal cations, forming coordination polymers. These nanoscaled coordination polymers were characterized by FT-IR spectra and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS). EDS results clearly revealed the elements of the nanocrystals and the FT-IR spectra give evidence for the coordination interaction between the double-decker molecules and metal cations. The UV-vis absorption spectrum indicates the formation of J-aggregates of the double-decker molecules in the nanocrystals formed.     

Oligomeric cadmium-phthalocyanine complexes: novel supramolecular free radical structures

Certain cadmium-metallated phthalocyanines give rise to EPR active triple-decker sandwich complexes containing two Cd ions and three phthalocyanine (Pc) ligands. These have been shown to form when the ligands bear either eight non- peripheral alkyl or alkenyl substituents or eight peripheral 2-ethylhexyl groups. They can be derived either from three equivalents of a cadmium phthalocyanine precursor or from a 2:1 mixture of a cadmium phthalocyanine (CdPc) and a metal-free phthalocyanine (H(2)Pc). The mode of their formation has been investigated by a series of "cross" experiments. The results indicate that the triple-decker structures are formed by a self-assembly process. This is deduced from results that show that they can disassemble and reassemble with incorporation of differently substituted ligands derived from either an H(2)Pc or CdPc. The reassembled structures in these cross experiments can contain more than one ligand that originated from either the added CdPc or, and more surprisingly, the H(2)Pc compound. Mass spectrometry has also established that higher order oligomers can be formed when steric requirements between the alkyl substituents on adjacent rings in the stack are reduced. Thus an isotopic cluster for a Cd(5)Pc(6) complex has been observed when the eight peripheral substituents are hexyl chains and tetrameric complexes are formed when two different ligands are incorporated within a stack, with one carrying substituents at the peripheral sites and the other bearing substituents at the non-peripheral sites.     

Heteroleptic rare earth double-decker complexes with naphthalocyaninato and phthalocyaninato ligands. General synthesis, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characteristics

A novel one-pot procedure starting from the corresponding M(acac)3 x nH2O, metal-free phthalocyanine H2Pc', and naphthalonitrile in the presence of DBU in n-octanol has been developed to prepare heteroleptic (naphthalocyaninato)(phthalocyaninato) rare earth double-decker complexes. A series of six sandwich compounds with different naphthalocyaninato ligands, phthalocyaninato ligands, and central rare earth metals, namely, Sm[Nc(tBu)4](Pc) [Nc(tBu)4 = 3(4),12(13),21(22),30(31)-tetra(tert-butyl)naphthalocyaninato; Pc = unsubstituted phthalocyaninato] (1), Sm(Nc)(Pc') [Pc' = Pc(OC5H11)4, Pc(OC8H17)8; Nc = 2,3-naphthalocyaninato; Pc(OC5H11)4 = 2(3),9(10),16(17),24(25)-tetrakis(3-pentyloxy)phthalocyaninato; Pc(OC8H17)8 = 2,3,9,10,16,17,24,25-octakis(octyloxy)phthalocyaninato] (2, 3), and M(Nc)[Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4] [M = Sm, Eu, Y; Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4 = 1,8,15,22-tetrakis(3-pentyloxy)phthalocyaninato] (4-6), have been isolated in good yields from this one-pot procedure demonstrating the generality of this synthetic pathway. In addition to spectroscopic analyses, the electrochemistry of these novel compounds has also been studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods.     

Synthesis, characterisation and magnetic study of a cyano-substituted dysprosium double decker single-molecule magnet

Bis(octacyanophthalocyanine)dysprosium(III) (1) has been synthesised, characterised and magnetically studied. By the incorporation of cyano substituents on the phthalocyanine (Pc) rings, a starting point has been created for the chemical modification of double deckers for the purpose of surface self-assembly. The modification of the rings leaves the magnetic properties of the double decker largely unaffected.