Synthesis,electrochemical, in situ spectroelectrochemical and in situ electrocolorimetric characterization of new metal-free and metallophthalocyanines substituted with 4-{2-[2-(1-naphthyloxy)ethoxy]ethoxy} groups

The synthesis of novel metal-free and metallophthalocyanines [Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Cu(II)] were prepared by cyclotetramerization of a novel 4-{2-[2-(1-naphthyloxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}phthalonitrile and the corresponding metal salts (NiCl₂, Zn(CH₃COO)₂, CoCl₂ and CuCl₂). The structures of the target compounds were confirmed using elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV–Vis and MS spectral data. Voltammetric and in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements show that while cobalt phthalocyanine complex gives both metal-based and ring-based redox processes, metal-free, and zinc phthalocyanines show only ring-based reduction and oxidation processes. All complexes decomposed and coated on the electrode as nonconductive film at positive potential window of the electrolyte. An in situ electrocolorimetric method has been applied to investigate color of the electro-generated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes.     

Synthesis and electrochemistry of tetrakis(7-coumarinthio-4-methyl)-phthalocyanines,and preparation of their cinnamic acid and sodium cinnamate derivatives

Novel water soluble free-base, Zn(II) and Co(II) metallo phthalocyanines with four cinnamic acid moieties were prepared from the corresponding tetrakis(7-coumarinthio-4-methyl)-phthalocyanine by the lactone ring opening reaction. The new compounds were purified and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, Maldi-TOF, FT-IR and UV–Vis spectral data. Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of the 2,9,16,23-tetrakis(7-coumarinthio-4-methyl) substituted free-base 1a, Zn(II) 1b and Co(II) 1c phthalocyanines, employed as the starting compounds have been studied. This allowed us not only to identify metal- and phthalocyanine ring-based redox processes of the complexes, but also the effect of aggregation on these processes.     

Synthesis,spectroscopy, electrochemistry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of partly halogenated coumarin phthalonitrile and corresponding metal-free,cobalt and zinc phthalocyanines

In this study, the preparation of novel 7-hydroxy-3-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)coumarin (1), the ligand, 7-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)-3-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)coumarin (2), metal-free phthalocyanine 3 and metallophthalocyanine complexes 4 and 5 (MPcs, M = Co, Zn), β-substituted with 7-oxo-3-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)coumarin functional group was achieved. By the reaction of 7-hydroxy-3-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)coumarin (1) with 1,2-dicyano-4-nitrobenzen in dry DMF as the solvent in the presence of K₂CO₃ as the base, the 7-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)-3-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)coumarin (2) was synthesized. Compound 2 reacted with Co(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O in 2-N,N-dimethylaminoethanol to furnish a novel coumarin containing cobalt(II) phthalocyanine 4. The cyclotetramerization of 2 with Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O in 2-N,N-dimethylaminoethanol gave the novel coumarin containing Zn(II)phthalocyanine 5; while tetramerization without any metal salts in 2-N,N-dimethylaminoethanol gave the metal-free phthalocyanine 3. The structures of obtained compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis, UV–Vis, IR, MALDI-TOF mass and ¹H NMR spectra. The cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry, and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of 7-oxo-3-(2-chloro-4-fuorophenyl)coumarin substituted phthalocyanines 3, 4 and 5 allowed us to identify metal- and phthalocyanine ring-based redox processes of the complexes.     

Synthesis, H- or J-type aggregations,electrochemistry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of metal ion sensing lead(II) phthalocyanines

We report, in this study, peripherally 3- and 4-substituted functionalized ionophore ligands (1–3) and their α- and β-tetra polyalcohol substituted lead(II) phthalocyanines M{Pc[S–CH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₄} (7, 9 and 11) and M{Pc[S–C₆H₁₂(OH)]₄} (8, 10 and 12) which are a mixture of different isomers. The complexes have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS (MALDI-TOF) and UV–Vis spectral data. These complexes induced H-type (face-to-face fashion) or J-aggregate (edge-to-edge) dimers when titrated with AgNO₃ or Na₂PdCl₄ in a THF–MeOH solution. Cyclic and square wave voltammetry studies showed that the complexes gave three one-electron ligand-based reductions and two one-electron oxidation couples having diffusion controlled mass transfer character. Assignments of these redox couples were confirmed by spectroelectrochemical measurements. The observation of split Q bands, which are characteristic spectral behavior of metal-free phthalocyanines, indicates demetallization of the complexes during the spectroelectrochemical measurement under the applied potentials. The types of the substituents on the ring of the phthalocyanines affect the demetallization process of the complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of new polymeric phthalocyanines substituted with diaza-18-crown-6 macrocycles through ethyleneoxy bridges

A tetranitrile monomer was synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution of N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 onto 4-nitrophthalonitrile. A series of polymeric metal-free and metallophthalocyanine (M = 2H, Zn, Cu, Co and Ni) polymers was prepared by polymeric tetramerization reaction of the tetranitrile monomer with proper materials. The electrical conductivities of the polymeric phthalocyanines measured as gold sandwiches were found to be ∼10⁻⁹–10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ in a vacuum and in argon. The extraction ability of the metal-free polymeric phthalocyanine was evaluated in tetrahydrofuran using several alkali metal picrates such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Cs⁺. The extraction affinity of the metal-free polymeric phthalocyanine for K⁺ was found to be highest in the heterogeneous solid–liquid phase extraction experiments. The disaggregation property of the metal-free polymeric phthalocyanine was investigated with sodium, potassium and ammonium ions and methanol. All the novel compounds were characterized by using elemental analysis, UV–Vis, FT-IR, NMR and MS spectral data and DTA/TG.     

Highly soluble tetra lauryl alcohol substituted phthalocyanines; synthesis,electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry

The tetra peripherally β-substituted 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis undecyloxy phthalocyanine derivatives, M{Pc[O-(CH₂)₁₁CH₃)]₄} Pc: Phthalocyanine, [M: Zn(II)(2), Ga(III)(3), and Ti(IV)(4)], have been synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, ¹H, and ¹³CNMR, MS (MALDI-TOF), UV–vis, atomic force microscopy, electro and spectroelectro chemical and elemental analysis. The new synthesized complexes are soluble in both polar solvents and nonpolar solvents, such as THF, DMF, CHCl₃, CH₂Cl_2, benzene, and even hexane. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements give common metal-based and/or Pc ring-based redox processes which support the proposed structures of the complexes. While titanium phthalocyanine exhibits metal- and Pc ring-based reduction and/or oxidation couples, gallium and zinc phthalocyanines give only Pc ring-based electron transfer processes.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and properties of three new mixed-ligand d metal complexes constructed from pyridinecarboxylate and in situ generated amino-tetrazole ligand

Three new metal-organic frameworks, [Zn(atz)(nic)]_n(1), [Zn(atz)(isonic)]_n·nHisonic(2) and [Cd(atz)(isonic)]_n(3) (Hnic=nicotinic acid, Hisonic=isonicotinic acid), have been firstly synthesized by employing mixed-ligand of pyridinecarboxylate with the in situ generated ligand of 5-amino-tetrazolate(atz⁻), and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TGA and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that 1 presents a two-dimensional (2D) “sql” topological network constructed from the linear chain subunit of Zn(nic)₂ and atz⁻ ligand. A remarkable feature of 2 is a 2-fold interpenetrated diamondoid network with free Hisonic molecules locating in the channels formed by the zigzag chain subunits of Zn(isonic)₂. Complex 3 is a 3D non-interpenetrated pillared framework constructed from the double chain subunits of Cd-COO⁻-Cd. It possesses a rarely observed (4,6)-connected “fsc” topology. The thermal stabilities and fluorescent properties of the complexes were investigated. All of these complexes exhibited intense fluorescent emissions in the solid state at room temperature.     

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.     

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.     

An in situ oxidation route to fabricate graphene nanoplate-metal oxide composites

We report our studies on an improved soft chemical route to directly fabricate graphene nanoplate-metal oxide (Ag₂O, Co₃O₄, Cu₂O and ZnO) composites from the in situ oxidation of graphene nanoplates. By virtue of H⁺ from hydrolysis of the metal nitrate aqueous solution and NO₃⁻, only a small amount of functional groups were introduced, acting as anchor sites and consequently forming the graphene nanoplate-metal oxide composites. The main advantages of this approach are that it does not require cumbersome oxidation of graphite in advance and no need to reduce the composites due to the lower oxidation degree. The microstructures of as-obtained metal oxides on graphene nanoplates can be dramatically controlled by changing the reaction parameters, opening up the possibility for processing the optical and electrochemical properties of the graphene-based nanocomposites.     

Synthesis,electrochemistry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of a new Co(III) thio Schiff-base complex with N,N′-bis(2-aminothiophenol)-1,4-bis(carboxylidene phenoxy)butane

A new cobalt Schiff-base complex, [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] (where L = [N,N′-bis(2-aminothiophenol)-1,4-bis(carboxylidene phenoxy)butane), was synthesized and its electrochemical and spectroelectochemical properties were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and thin-layer spectro-electrochemistry in solutions of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂). The [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] complex displays two well-defined reversible reduction processes with the corresponding anodic waves. The half-wave potentials of the first and second reduction processes were displayed at E_1/2 = 0.08 V and E_1/2 = −1.21 V (scan rate: 0.100 Vs⁻¹) in DMSO, and E_1/2 = −0.124 V and E_1/2 = −1.32 V (scan rate: 0.100 Vs⁻¹) in CH₂Cl₂. The potentials of the reduction processes in DMSO are shifted toward negative potentials (0.220–0.112 V) compared to those in CH₂Cl₂. The electrochemical results are assigned to two one-electron reduction processes; [Co(III)L] + ⁻e → [Co(II)L]⁻ and [Co(II)L]⁻ + ⁻e → [Co(I)L]²⁻. The six-coordination of the complex remains unchanged during the reduction processes and the electron transfer processes were not followed by a chemical reaction upon scan reversal. It was also seen that [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] was reduced at a more positive potential than the corresponding salen analogs. The shift and reversibility are apparently related to the high degree of electron delocalization of the [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] complex, having a N₂O₂S₂ donor set and two additional benzene units. Additionally, in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements support Co(III)/Co(II) and Co(II)/Co(I) reversible reduction processes with the observation of the corresponding spectral changes with the applied potentials E_app = −0.40 and −1.60 V. Application of the spectroelectrochemical results allowed the determination ofE_1/2 and n (the number of electrons) from the spectra of the fully oxidized and reduced species in one unified experiment as well. The results obtained by this method are in agreement with those by the CV and DPV methods.     

Degradation and thermal properties of in situ compatibilized PS/POE blends

This paper reported the degradation behaviors and thermal properties of polystyrene (PS)/polyolefin elastomer (POE) blends with AlCl₃ as the catalyst of Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were adopted to reveal the effects of in situ grafting reaction and degradation of blending compounds on the thermal properties of PS/POE blends. It was found that the changes in both catalyst content and blend composition influenced the competition between in situ grafting reaction and degradation, resulting in the complexity of the thermal properties of PS/POE/AlCl₃ blends.     

Ratiometric two-photon excited photoluminescence of quantum dots triggered by near-infrared-light for real-time detection of nitric oxide release in situ

Probe-donor integrated nanocomposites were developed from conjugating silica-coated Mn²⁺:ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with MoS₂ QDs and photosensitive nitric oxide (NO) donors (Fe₄S₃(NO)₇⁻, RBS). Under excitation with near-infrared (NIR) light at 808 nm, the Mn²⁺:ZnS@SiO₂/MoS₂-RBS nanocomposites showed the dual-emissive two-photon excited photoluminescence (TPEPL) that induced RBS photolysis to release NO in situ. NO caused TPEPL quenching of Mn²⁺:ZnS QDs, but it produced almost no impact on the TPEPL of MoS₂ QDs. Hence, the nanocomposites were developed as a novel QDs-based ratiometric TPEPL probe for real-time detection of NO release in situ. The ratiometric TPEPL intensity is nearly linear (R² = 0.9901) with NO concentration in the range of 0.01∼0.8 μM, which corresponds to the range of NO release time (0∼15 min). The detection limit was calculated to be approximately 4 nM of NO. Experimental results confirmed that this novel ratiometric TPEPL probe possessed high selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of NO against potential competitors, and especially showed high detection performance for NIR-light triggered NO release in tumor intracellular microenvironments. These results would promote the development of versatile probe-donor integrated systems, also providing a facile and efficient strategy to real-time detect the highly controllable drug release in situ, especially in physiological microenvironments.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnSe: An in situ synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction study

The hydrothermal synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnSe has been studied by in situ X-ray powder diffraction using synchrotron radiation. The formation of ZnSe was studied using the following starting mixtures: Zn+Se+H₂O (route A) and ZnCl₂+Se+H₂O+Na₂SO₃ (route B). The route A experiment showed that Zn powder starts reacting with water at 134 °C giving ZnO and H₂ followed by the formation of ZnSe which takes place in temperature range from 167 to 195 °C. The route B experiment shows a considerably more complex reaction path with several intermediate phases and in this case the formation of ZnSe starts at 141 °C and ZnSe and Se were the only crystalline phases observed at the end of the experiment where the temperature was 195 °C. The sizes of the nanocrystalline particles were determined to 18 and 9 nm in the route A and B experiments, respectively. Nanocrystalline ZnSe was also synthesized ex situ using the route A and B methods and characterized by conventional X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. An average crystalline domain size of ca. 8 nm was determined by X-ray powder diffraction in fair agreement with TEM images, which showed larger aggregates of nanoparticles having approximate diameters of 10 nm. Furthermore, a method for purification of the ZnSe nanoparticles was developed and the prepared particles showed signs of anisotropic size broadening of the diffraction peaks.     

Selective metal sensor phthalocyanines bearing non-peripheral functionalities: Synthesis,spectroscopy, electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry

A novel alcohol-soluble ionophore ligand and its non-peripherally tetrasubstituted functional 1,8,15,22-tetrakis(6-hydroxyhexylsulfanyl) metallophthalocyanines M[Pc(α-SC₆H₁₂OH)₄] (M = Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II); Pc = phthalocyanine) are reported. The aggregation and cation binding behaviors of the phthalocyanine compounds in the presence of soft Ag^I and Pd^II metal ions were investigated by using UV–Vis spectroscopy. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, ESI and MALDI–TOF–MS mass spectra. Voltammetric and in-situ spectroelectrochemical studies show that while copper and zinc phthalocyanine complexes give well-defined ring-based reduction and oxidation processes, the cobalt phthalocyanine gives both metal-based and ring-based redox processes which have reversible and diffusion controlled character.     

Polytopic cation receptor functional phthalocyanines: Synthesis,characterization, electrochemistry and metal ion binding

Our efforts toward the development of the synthesis of a novel type of receptor ligand and its tetrasubstituted phthalocyanines, 2,9,16,23-tetrakis(6-hydroxyhexylsulfanyl) phthalocyanine, M[Pc(S–C₆H₁₃OH)₄] (M = Zn(II), Cu(II), Co(II)), bearing sulfur and oxygen donor atoms on the periphery together with hexyl moieties, have been carried out together with spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization. The newly synthesized functional phthalocyanines were soluble in MeOH, EtOH, THF, DMF, CNP (α-chloronapthalene), DMSO and quinoline, and less soluble in i-PrOH and CH₃CN. Cation binding abilities of the functional phthalocyanines with Ag⁺, Pd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺, resulting in the formation of polynuclear phthalocyanine complexes, were evaluated by UV–Vis spectroscopic techniques. The spectroscopic properties of the complexes were affected strongly by the electron-donating sulfanyl units on the periphery. The cyclic voltammetry of the complexes were examined on a platinum electrode in DMSO. The new synthesized compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, MS (ESI and MALDI-TOF) and UV–Vis spectral data.     

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-bis[2-(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.     

Intramolecular hydroamination catalysed by Ag complexes stabilised in situ by bidentate ligands

A series of silver complexes generated in situ from AgOSO₂CF₃ (AgOTf) and a range of bidentate ligands were investigated as catalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of 4-pentyn-1-amine. A variety of P- and N-donor ligands were tested including the novel pyrazole-phosphine ligand 1-(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)pyrazole. The best catalyst was formed from equimolar amounts of the P,N-donor ligand 1-(2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl)pyrazole and AgOTf, which achieved a turnover rate of 129 h⁻¹ for the cyclisation of 4-pentyn-1-amine.     

Synthesis, characterization and comparative studies on the photophysical and photochemical properties of metal-free and zinc(II) phthalocyanines with phenyloxyacetic acid functionalities

The synthesis and characterization of new peripherally and non-peripherally tetra-substituted metal-free and zinc(II) phthalocyanines with 2-, 3- and 4-phenyloxyacetic acid functionalities are described for the first time in this study. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-Vis, MALDI-TOF and ¹H-NMR spectra. Photodegradation, singlet oxygen and fluorescence quantum yields, and fluorescence lifetimes of these compounds are studied in dimethylformamide (DMF). The influence of the substituent position on the phthalocyanine framework (non-peripherally or peripherally), central metal ion (metal-free or zinc) and the position of the COOH group (2-, 3- or 4-position on the phenyloxyacetic acid) on the spectroscopic, photophysical and photochemical properties have been investigated. Non-peripherally zinc(II) phthalocyanines (1b and 2b) and peripherally zinc(II) phthalocyanine (4b) gave good singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ) (0.37, 0.39 and 0.38, respectively) which indicate the potential of the complexes as photosensitizers in applications of PDT.     

Di(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)-dibenzo-18-crown-6: A “light fluorous” recyclable phase transfer catalyst

A series of dibenzo-18-crown-6 lariat ethers containing two C₇H₁₅ (11), (CH₂)₂C₆F₁₃ (14), (CH₂)₂C₈F₁₇ (15), NHC₇H₁₅ (18) and NHCH₂C₆F₁₃ (19) sidearms were prepared and the single crystal X-ray structure of cis-4,4′-di(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)-dibenzo-18-crown-6 (15a) is reported. The “light fluorous” dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether (14) has emerged as a stable and robust PTC catalyst, which can be recycled efficiently by fluorous solid-phase extraction, and gives better PTC catalytic activity compared to the parent, non-fluorinated PTC catalyst, dibenzo-18-crown-6, and the alkylated derivative (11) in aliphatic and aromatic nucleophilic substitutions.