Synthesis, electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry and electropolymerization of metal-free and metallophthalocyanines

Metal-free 4 and metallophthalocyanine complexes 5–7 (MPcs, M = Ni, Co, Cu) substituted with the electropolymerizable (2-{2-[3-(dimethylamino)phenoxy]ethoxy}ethoxy) group have been synthesized and their structure have been identified by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, mass and UV–Vis spectroscopy techniques. The electrochemical characterization of the phthalocyanines sustained the submitted structures of the complexes, since the half wave peak potentials of the redox processes are in harmony with the common electrochemical behavior of MPcs. CoPc gives a metal based reduction process in addition to the ligand based electron transfer processes, which enrich the possible usage of the complex in various electrochemical technologies. All the complexes were coated on the working electrode with an oxidative electopolymerization process during the anodic potential scans.

Graphical abstractThe synthesis and characterization of new phthalocyanines. An investigation of the electrochemical properties of the phthalocyanines. Determination of the electropolymerization of the complexes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide