Functional Phthalocyanines: Synthesis, Nanostructuration, and Electro-Optical Applications

Preparation of Supramolecular Miktoarm Star Copolymers with a Zinc Phthalocyanine Core through ATRP and RAFT Polymerization

Topological polymers have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique chemical and physical properties. This study demonstrates the formation of novel supramolecular miktoarm star copolymers with a zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) core using metal-ligand coordination interactions. Various linear polymers with pyridyl end groups, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(N-vinyl carbazole), are prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. This facilitates coordination to the ZnPc core of 4-armed star-shaped polystyrene prepared via atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Furthermore, the formation of a 1:1 complex of a ZnPc molecule and pyridyl group of the chain-transfer agent for RAFT is confirmed by absorption spectral studies and ¹ H NMR spectroscopic analyses. The concept of supramolecular complexation can be extended to the preparation of AB₄ -type supramolecular miktoarm star-shaped copolymers with functional cores.

Computational study of ground-state properties of μ2 -bridged group 14 porphyrinic sandwich complexes

The structural properties of μ₂ -bridged porphyrinic double-decker complexes are investigated and the influence of various ligands, metals, substituents, and bridging atoms on the dominant structural motif is elucidated. A variety of quantum chemical methods including semiempirical (SQM) methods and density functional theory (DFT) is assessed for the calculation of ecliptic and staggered conformational energies. Local coupled cluster (DLPNO-CCSD(T1)) data are generated for reference. The r² SCAN-3c composite scheme as well as the B2PLYP-D4/def2-QZVPP approach are identified as reliable methods. Energy decomposition analyses (EDA) and localized molecular orbital analyses (LMO) are used to investigate the bonding situation and the nature of the inter-ligand interaction energy underlining the crucial role of attractive London dispersion interactions. Targeted modification of the bridging atom, e.g., by replacing O^2- by S^2- is shown to drastically change the major structural features of the investigated complexes. Further, the influence of different substituents of varying size at the phthalocyanine ligand regarding the dominant conformation is described.

Metalated covalent organic frameworks: from synthetic strategies to diverse applications

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a class of organic crystalline porous materials discovered in the early 21st century that have become an attractive class of emerging materials due to their high crystallinity, intrinsic porosity, structural regularity, diverse functionality, design flexibility, and outstanding stability. However, many chemical and physical properties strongly depend on the presence of metal ions in materials for advanced applications, but metal-free COFs do not have these properties and are therefore excluded from such applications. Metalated COFs formed by combining COFs with metal ions, while retaining the advantages of COFs, have additional intriguing properties and applications, and have attracted considerable attention over the past decade. This review presents all aspects of metalated COFs, from synthetic strategies to various applications, in the hope of promoting the continued development of this young field.

Magnetic Energy Landscape of Dimolybdenum Tetraacetate on a Bulk Insulator Surface

The magnetic states and the magnetic anisotropy barrier of a transition metal molecular complex, dimolybdenum tetraacetate, are investigated via density functional theory (DFT). Calculations are performed in the gas phase and on a calcite (10.4) bulk insulating surface, using the Generalized-Gradient Approximation (GGA)-PBE and the Hubbard-corrected DFT + U and DFT + U + V functionals. The molecular complex (denoted MoMo) contains two central metallic molybdenum atoms, embedded in a square cage of acetate groups. Recently, MoMo was observed to form locally regular networks of immobile molecules on calcite (10.4), at room conditions. As this is the first example of a metal-coordinated molecule strongly anchored to an insulator surface at room temperature, we explore here its magnetic properties with the aim to understand whether the system could be assigned features of a single molecule magnet (SMM) and could represent the basis to realize stable magnetic networks on insulators. After an introductory review on SMMs, we show that, while the uncorrected GGA-PBE functional stabilizes MoMo in a nonmagnetic state, the DFT + U and DFT + U + V approaches stabilize an antiferromagnetic ground state and several meta-stable ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic states. Importantly, the energy landscape of magnetic states remains almost unaltered on the insulating surface. Finally, via a noncollinear magnetic formalism and a newly introduced algorithm, we calculate the magnetic anisotropy barrier, whose value indicates the stability of the molecule’s magnetic moment.

Synthesis and crystal structure of 1,3-bis[(3,4-dicyano)phenoxy]-4,6-dinitro-benzene, C22H8N6O6

C22H8N6O6, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 15.3939(6) Å, b = 7.3053(3) Å, c = 16.8282(6) Å, β = 91.567(3)°, V = 1891.74(13) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0510, wR ref(F 2) = 0.0867, T = 140(2) K.

New Insight into the Ground State of FePc: A Diffusion Monte Carlo Study

We have applied DMC to evaluate relative stability of the possible electronic configurations of an isolated FePc under D _4h symmetry, considering some fixed nodes generated from different methods. They predict A _2g ground state consistently, supporting preceding DFT studies, with confidence overcoming the ambiguity about exchange-correlation (XC) functionals. By comparing DMC with several XC, we clarified the importance of the short-range exchange to describe the relative stability. We examined why the predicted A _2g is excluded from possible ground states in the recent ligand field based model. Simplified assumptions made in the superposition model are identified to give unreasonably less energy gain for A _2g when compared with the reality. The state is found to have possible reasons for the stabilization, reducing the occupations from an unstable anti-bonding orbital, avoiding double occupation of a spatially localized orbital, and gaining exchange energy by putting a triplet spin pair in degenerate orbitals.

Cationic phthalocyanine dendrimers as potential antimicrobial photosensitisers

Synthesis, photophysical properties and photoantimicrobial efficiency of cationic Zn(ii) and Ru(ii) dendrimeric phthalocyanines.

A Colorful Life: Scientific Achievements of Tomás Torres in the Fields of Phthalocyanines, Molecular Materials and Nanoscience

Some of the most important achievements of Tomás Torres in the last few decades within the fields of Phthalocyanines and related compounds, Molecular Materials and Nanoscience are revised and his recognized international prestige in these areas highlighted on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

Preparation and lower critical solution temperature behavior investigation of new thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-phthalocyanine) magnetic nanocomposites containing phthalocyanine-coated Fe3O4 hybrid

New thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-phthalocyanine) magnetic nanocomposites were prepared by in situ dispersion polymerization. 4-Nitrophthalic acid and CoCl2 were employed to synthesize tetranitrophthalocyanine and then it was converted to tetraaminophthalocyanine by sodium sulfide. The cobalt tetra(N-carbonylacrylic)aminophthalocyanine monomer was obtained by reaction of tetraaminophthalocyanine with maleic anhydrid. N-isopropylacrylamide as the main monomers, N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as the cross-linker, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) as the steric stabilizer, potassium persulfate as the initiator, and new Fe-phthalocyanine oligomer/Fe3O4 nanohybrid particles (FePc/Fe3O4) as nanoparticles were used. The magnetite nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that the lower critical solution temperatures of the hydrogel nanocomposits were influenced by the content of FePc/Fe3O4 hybrid nanoparticles. The lower critical solution temperatures of the magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites F3 and F4 were at about 34 and 40 °C. The results show that the increase of FePc/Fe3O4 nanoparticle content caused the LCSTs of the hydrogels to increase. FePc/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared from 4,4′-isopropyliden-bis-dioxydiphthalonitrile and FeCl3·6H2O via the solvothermal route. The sizes of nanoparticles were determined by scanning electron microscopy. They are spherical in shape and the average size of them is between 30 and 70 nm.

Photoinduced Electron Transfer in a Zinc Phthalocyanine-Fullerene Conjugate Connected by a Long Flexible Spacer

A hexadodecyl-substituted zinc phthalocyanine covalently linked through a flexible spacer to a fullerene-ZnPc-C₆₀ -has been investigated regarding electron transfer from the photoexcited, electron-donating ZnPc to the electron-accepting C₆₀ . While ground-state interactions between electron donor and acceptor within ZnPc-C₆₀ could not be detected via steady-state absorption spectroscopy, clear proof for excited-state interactions came from steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. To this end, the fluorescence in ZnPc-C₆₀ is strongly quenched with quantum yields in THF as low as 0.05. Insight into excited-state electron-transfer deactivation within ZnPc-C₆₀ came from time-resolved femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. For example, upon exclusive excitation of the phthalocyanine within the ZnPc-C₆₀ conjugate, a set of transients evolve featuring, on the one hand, the signature of the one-electron oxidized ZnPc radical cation and, on the other hand, of the one-electron reduced C₆₀ radical anion. The analysis of the corresponding dynamics in chlorobenzene resulted in lifetimes for charge-separation and charge-recombination of 7.4 ps and 2.2 ns, respectively.

Novel Nonmetalated Hydrophobic and Metalated Phthalocyanines Bearing Pyridine-2-Thiol and 2,4,6-Trimethylphenylamine Substituents: Synthesis, Spectroscopic, Aggregation and Thermal Properties

Novel metal–free and metallo-phthalocyanines, with different substituents at peripheral positions, have been synthesised by cyclotetramerisation of 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylamino)phthalonitrile and 4-(pyridine-2-ylsulfanyl)phthalonitrile in the presence of the corresponding divalent metal salts [Zn(II), Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II)]. Quaternisation of the metallophthalocyanine functionality produced quaternised cationic Zn, Cu, Ni and Co phthalocyanines, which are soluble in DMF, H2O and DMSO. The aggregation behaviour of these compounds was investigated in different concentrations of DMSO. Their thermal stability and electronic stability are reported.

A push-pull unsymmetrical subphthalocyanine dimer

Unsymmetrical subphthalocyanine fused dimers have been prepared from appropriate ortho-dinitrile SubPc precursors. In particular, either electron-donating or electron-accepting substituents have been introduced on each SubPc constituent unit, resulting in unprecedented push-pull π-extended curved aromatic macrocycles. From fluorescence experiments in solvents of different polarity we conclude a dual fluorescence, namely a delocalized singlet excited state (1.73 eV) and a polarized charge transfer state (<1.7 eV). Pump probe experiments corroborate the dual nature of the fluorescence. On one hand, the delocalized singlet excited state gives rise to a several nanosecond lasting intersystem crossing yielding the corresponding triplet excited state. On the other hand, the polarized charge transfer state deactivates within a few picosesonds. Visualization of the charge transfer state was accomplished by means of molecular modeling with a slight polarization of the HOMO towards the electron donor and of the LUMO towards the electron acceptor.

Supramolecular self-assembly of metal-free naphthalocyanine on Au(111)

The self-assembly of metal-free naphthalocyanine (H2Nc) on the Au(111) surface is studied under ultrahigh vacuum conditions at room temperature using a combination of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The STM measurements reveal that the molecules form a well-ordered, defect-free structure with a square-like unit cell at monolayer coverage with their molecular plane parallel to the substrate plane. The molecular lattice direction is aligned along one of the principal directions of the underlying Au(111) substrate while the molecular orientation remains unchanged for different domains. XPS measurements show that there is no significant difference in the electronic structure of H2Nc between monolayer and multilayer coverage. Combining the information obtained from STM, LEED and XPS measurements demonstrates that the self-assembled structure of H2Nc on Au(111) is mainly stabilized by intermolecular interactions while the molecule-substrate interactions are responsible for the rotational alignment of the molecules with respect to the principal Au directions.

Sterically hindered phthalocyanines for dye-sensitized solar cells: influence of the distance between the aromatic core and the anchoring group

A new phthalocyanine (Pc) bearing bulky peripheral substituents and a carboxylic anchoring group directly attached to the macrocycle has been prepared and used as a sensitizer in DSSCs, reaching 5.57% power conversion efficiency. In addition, an enhanced performance for the TT40 dye, previously reported by us, was achieved in optimized devices, obtaining a new record efficiency with Pc-sensitized cells.

Alternative selection rules for one- and two-photon transitions in tribenzotetraazachlorin: quasi-centrosymmetrical π-conjugation pathway of formally non-centrosymmetrical molecule

We compare the two-photon absorption (2PA) spectra of non-centrosymmetrical metal-free tribenzo-tetraazachlorin (H2TBTAC) and analogous symmetrical tetra-tert-butyl-phthalocyanine (H2TtBuPc). Surprisingly, despite formal lack of center of inversion, the 2PA spectrum of H2TBTAC displays a two-photon allowed transition at 935 nm, similar to gerade-gerade (g-g) transitions observed in H2TtBuPc and in other symmetrical phthalocyanines. This transition is even better resolved in the singlet-singlet excited-state absorption spectrum. We tentatively explain the survival of the g-g transition in H2TBTAC by assuming that the main π-electron conjugation pathway in the tetraaza-substituted tetrapyrrole macrocycle bypasses the outer parts of the two oppositely located isoindole rings and thus renders the optically responsive core of the chromophore quasi-centrosymmetrical. By using the independently measured ground- and excited-state absorption extinction coefficients, we also show that the two-photon absorptivity can be quantitatively explained by a simple three-level model with the lowest energy Q1 state serving as an intermediate level.

A series of asymmetrical phthalocyanines: synthesis and near infrared properties

We report here the preparation of asymmetrical phthalocyanine dimers 1a–3a, which are endowed with novel charge transfer bands at 1,151–1,154 nm and strong NIR luminescences at 840–860 nm and 1,600–1,650 nm. Through H-bonding interaction, 1a–3a are inclined to self-assemble into hexrod nanotubes at the interface of CHCl₃ and CH₃OH. Our results provide further insights into the interaction in molecular dimers, and suggest that 1a–3a have potential application in magnets and supramolecular architectures.

Electron affinity states of metal supported phthalocyanines measured by tunneling spectroscopy

Orbital Mediated Tunneling Spectroscopy OMTS (elastic electron tunneling) was employed in measuring electron affinity levels (EA) of unsubstituted, alkylated, sulfonated, and metalated phthalocyanines (Pc) adsorbed as single molecules or aggregates on metal substrates and imbedded in metal-insulator-metal (M-I-M) devices. MPc complexes were vapor deposited, solution phase doped, or transferred as Langmuir–Blodgett films. It was determined that while the nature of the substituents has a large effect on the gas phase electron affinities, they play a minimal role on the electron affinities of metal supported phthalocyanines. Moreover, the orientation of monolayer films and the method of film deposition (vapor, solution, Langmuir–Blodgett) also appear to play only a minor role in determining the electron affinities. Electrochemical reduction potentials obtained for the solution phase molecular systems are compared to the OMTS data and a strong correlation is observed. In contrast, the predicted EA values for the gas phase molecules show little correspondence with their OMTS equivalents for adsorbed phthalocyanines. Inelastic scattering from phthalocyanine π→π* transitions and metal centered d–d transitions are observed for chromophores imbedded in tunnel diodes. Both the observed lowest spin forbidden transitions and the calculated gas phase HOMO–LUMO gaps are only weakly affected by Pc substitution and surface orientation.

Photoinduced charge separation in three-layer supramolecular nanohybrids: fullerene-porphyrin-SWCNT

Photoinduced charge separation processes of three-layer supramolecular hybrids, fullerene-porphyrin-SWCNT, which are constructed from semiconducting (7,6)- and (6,5)-enriched SWCNTs and self-assembled via π-π interacting long alkyl chain substituted porphyrins (tetrakis(4-dodecyloxyphenyl)porphyrins; abbreviated as MP(alkyl)(4)) (M = Zn and H(2)), to which imidazole functionalized fullerene[60] (C(60)Im) is coordinated, have been investigated in organic solvents. The intermolecular alkyl-π and π-π interactions between the MP(alkyl)(4) and SWCNTs, in addition, coordination between C(60)Im and Zn ion in the porphyrin cavity are visualized using DFT calculations at the B3LYP/3-21G(*) level, predicting donor-acceptor interactions between them in the ground and excited states. The donor-acceptor nanohybrids thus formed are characterized by TEM imaging, steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra. The time-resolved fluorescence studies of MP(alkyl)(4) in two-layered nanohybrids (MP(alkyl)(4)/SWCNT) revealed efficient quenching of the singlet excited states of MP(alkyl)(4) ((1)MP*(alkyl)(4)) with the rate constants of charge separation (k(CS)) in the range of (1-9) × 10(9) s(-1). A nanosecond transient absorption technique confirmed the electron transfer products, MP˙(+)(alkyl)(4)/SWCNT˙(-) and/or MP˙(-)(alkyl)(4)/SWCNT˙(+) for the two-layer nanohybrids. Upon further coordination of C(60)Im to ZnP, acceleration of charge separation via(1)ZnP* in C(60)Im→ZnP(alkyl)(4)/SWCNT is observed to form C(60)˙(-)Im→ZnP˙(+)(alkyl)(4)/SWCNT and C(60)˙(-)Im→ZnP(alkyl)(4)/SWCNT˙(+) charge separated states as supported by the transient absorption spectra. These characteristic absorptions decay with rate constants due to charge recombination (k(CR)) in the range of (6-10) × 10(6) s(-1), corresponding to the lifetimes of the radical ion-pairs of 100-170 ns. The electron transfer in the nanohybrids has further been utilized for light-to-electricity conversion by the construction of proof-of-concept photoelectrochemical solar cells.

Photosensitized electron transfer processes of nanocarbons applicable to solar cells

Photosensitized electron-transfer processes of nanocarbon materials hybridized with electron donating or electron accepting molecules have been surveyed in this tutorial review on the basis of the recent results reported mainly from our laboratories. As nano-carbon materials, fullerenes and single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been employed. Fullerenes act as photo-sensitizing electron acceptors with respect to a wide variety of electron donors; in addition, the fullerenes act as good ground state electron acceptors in the presence of light-absorbing electron donors such as porphyrins and phthalocyanines. In the case of SWCNTs, their ground states act as electron acceptor and electron donors, depending on the photosensitizers. For example, with respect to the photoexcited porphyrins and phthalocyanines, SWCNTs usually act as electron acceptors, whereas for the photoexcited fullerenes, SWCNTs act as electron donors. The diameter sorted semi-conductive SWCNTs have been used to verify the size-dependent electron transfer rates. For the confirmation of the electron transfer processes, the transient absorption methods have been widely used, in addition to the time-resolved fluorescence spectral measurements. The kinetic data thus obtained in solution are found to be quite useful to predict the efficiencies of photovoltaic cells constructed on semiconductor nanoparticle modified electrodes and their photocatalytic processes.

Phthalocyanine-Carbon Nanostructure Materials Assembled through Supramolecular Interactions

The use of self-assembly for the construction of materials based on phthalocyanines and carbon nanostructures-fullerenes, single-walled carbon nanotubes, and graphene-has demonstrated to be a versatile strategy for the preparation of novel, multifunctional systems. Photophysical studies carried out on these photo- and electroactive supramolecular ensembles have revealed the occurrence of an efficient photoinduced electron-transfer process, thus paving the way for the utilization of these materials as active components in optoelectronic devices. This Perspective highlights the recent progress in the preparation of such materials and the potential use of these systems for the construction of nanostructured materials with singular physicochemical properties.

Fluorescence properties of phenol-modified zinc phthalocyanine that tuned by photoinduced intra-molecular electron transfer and pH values

Tetra[α-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)] zinc phthalocyanine, ZnPc(α-OPhOH)(4), was synthesized and its photophysics was found to be sharply pH dependent. Dual fluorescence emission around 700 nm was observed when it is dissolved in basic solution. The fluorescence of the phthalocyanine can be sharply switched off at pH 9.1 due to the intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET) in ZnPc(α-OPhONa)(4), formed by the deprotonation of ZnPc(α-OPhOH)(4). The photophysics of both ZnPc(α-OPhOH)(4) and ZnPc(α-OPhONa)(4) were studied in detail by UV-vis absorption, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence and transient absorption (TA) to reveal the fluorescence quenching mechanism. Intra-molecular PET in ZnPc(α-OPhONa)(4) from the donor, PhONa subunits, to the acceptor, ZnPc moiety, was characterized by the much smaller fluorescence quantum yield (0.003) and lifetime (<0.20 ns). PET was further evidenced by the occurrence of charge separation state (CSS) in TA spectra, i.e. the bands due to anion radical of ZnPc and phenol radical. The lifetime of the charge separation state is ca. 3 ns, the efficiency of PET is ca. 99% and the rate constant of PET is 2.3 × 10(10) s(-1).