Synthesis, electrochemical, in situ spectroelectrochemical and in situ electrocolorimetric characterization of new phthalocyanines peripherally fused to four flexible crown ether moieties

Novel Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) phthalocyanines with four peripheral 4-[methyleneoxy(18-crown-6)] groups have been synthesized via the cyclic tetramerization of 4-[{(18-crown-6)-yl}methyleneoxy]phthalonitrile and the corresponding metal salts (NiCl2, Zn(CH3COO)2, CoCl2 and CuCl2). The thermal stabilities of the metal-free and metallophthalocyanine compounds were determined by thermogravimetric analysis. 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 the cobalt phthalocyanine complex gives both metal-based and ring-based redox processes, the metal-free, nickel, zinc and copper phthalocyanines show only ring-based reduction and oxidation processes. An in situ electrocolorimetric method has been applied to investigate the color of the electro-generated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes.

Graphical abstractNovel Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) phthalocyanines with four peripheral 4-[methyleneoxy(18-crown-6)] groups have been synthesized via the cyclic tetramerization of 4-[{(18-crown-6)-yl}methyleneoxy]phthalonitrile and the corresponding metal salts (NiCl2, Zn(CH3COO)2, CoCl2 and CuCl2). The thermal stabilities of the metal-free and metallophthalocyanine compounds were determined by thermogravimetric analysis. 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 the cobalt phthalocyanine complex gives both metal-based and ring-based redox processes, the metal-free, nickel, zinc and copper phthalocyanines show only ring-based reduction and oxidation processes. An in situ electrocolorimetric method has been applied to investigate the color of the electro-generated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide