Synthesis, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of peripherally tetra-imidazole substituted metal free and metallophthalocyanines

The synthesis and characterization of novel organosoluble peripherally tetra imidazole substituted metal-free (4), zinc(II) (5), nickel(II) (6), cobalt(II) (7), lead(II) (8) and oxo-titanium(IV) (9) phthalocyanines are described for the first time in this study. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements exhibit that while copper phthalocyanine gives only ring-based electron transfer reactions, incorporating redox active metal centers, Co(II), and Ti(IV)OPc, into the phthalocyanine core extends the redox richness of the phthalocyanine ring with the metal-based reduction and oxidation couples of the metal centers in addition to the common phthalocyanine ring-based electron transfer processes. In-situ electrocolorimetric measurements of the complexes allow quantification of color coordinates of the each electrogenerated anionic and cationic redox species.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The preperation of imidazole substituted phthalonitrile. ► Synthesis of its corresponding metal free and metallophthalocyanines. ► The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies were performed.