Metallo complexes of meso-phenothiazinylporphyrins: Synthesis, linear and nonlinear optical properties

•Synthesis of Zn(II), Pd(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes of meso-phenothiazinylporphyrins.•UV–vis absorption/emission optical properties in solution.•Two-photon excited fluorescence emissions of red light in solid state.•Fluorescence lifetime measurements using time correlated single-photon counting method.•Second harmonic generation using (Ti:Sa) femtosecond laser.

Herein we described the synthesis and the structural characterization of series of metallo-meso-(phenothiazin-3yl)porphyrins containing Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) or Pd(II) coordinated in the central cavity of the macrocycle and an increasing number of peripheral phenothiazine units (from one up to four). Their photophysical properties including UV–vis linear (one photon) and nonlinear (two photons) absorption and fluorescence emissions were investigated in solution or solid state. Fluorescence lifetimes of the new metallo-phenothiazinylporphyrins in the solid state were measured using a time correlated single-photon counting method. Nonlinear optical properties were observed using a Titanium: Sapphire femtosecond laser. Two-photon excited fluorescence emissions of red light for selected Zn(II)-, Cu(II)- and Pd(II)-meso-phenothiazinylporphyrins, as well as second harmonic generation in the case of some Cu(II)- and Pd(II)-meso-phenothiazinylporphyrins are reported.

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