The synthesis and characterization of Cu(II) phthalocyanine bearing peripheral monoazacrown ethers and a spectral investigation of its film forming character

The synthesis, liquid crystalline behavior and self-organizing properties of Cu(II)Pc bearing monoazacrown ether moieties that contain long alkyloxyphenyl N-pivotal groups are described. The Cu(II) phthalocyanine derivative has a hexagonal, columnar structure; optical absorption and vibrational spectroscopy revealed a predominantly co-facial interaction between the chromophores and their orientation parallel to a NaCl surface. It is proposed that such homeotropic alignment is attributable to the ability of the pendant monoazacrown ether groups to coordinate the Na+ ions within the NaCl surface.