Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Annulated Dinuclear and Trinuclear Phthalocyanines

Abstract

Metal-free mononuclear, dinuclear and trinuclear phthalocyanines were prepared by a mixed cyclotetramerisation of a 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene derivative and 4,5-bis(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)phthalonitrile. For the first time, a pi-electron-conjugated trinuclear phthalocyanine was synthesised with phthalocyanine units connected by common annulated benzene rings. The Q band of the trinuclear compound in solution occurs at lambda = 944 nm whereas those of the dinuclear and mononuclear compounds are at lambda = 853/830 and 701/664 nm, respectively. Fluorescence quantum yields, fluorescence lifetimes and singlet-oxygen quantum yields of the compounds were determined.