A novel, one-pot method for the synthesis of dimeric and monomeric phthalocyanine silicon complexes from free-base phthalocyanines

A novel method for the synthesis of dimeric and monomeric phthalocyanine silicon complexes using a one-pot method, from tetra-substituted free-base phthalocyanines in the presence of HSiCl3 at room temperature, is described. Silation was carried out using different bases and the reaction time and the order of addition of the chemicals were varied. It was found that by changing the reaction conditions, it was possible to synthesize either monomers or dimeric complexes with direct Si–Si bonds, selectively.