Synthesis and solution properties of new metal-free and metallo-phthalocyanines containing four bis(indol-3-yl)methane groups

Hybrid Zinc Phthalocyanine/PVDF-HFP System for Reducing Biofouling in Water Desalination: DFT Theoretical and MolDock Investigations

Fouling and biofouling remain significant challenges in seawater desalination plants. One practical approach to address these issues is to develop anti-biofouling membranes. Therefore, novel hybrid zinc phthalocyanine/polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (Zn(4-PPOx)4Pc/PVDF-HFP) membranes were prepared by electrospinning to evaluate their properties against biofouling. The hybrid nanofiber membrane was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. The theoretical calculations of PVDF-HFP, Zn(4-PPOx)4Pc), and Zn(4-PPOx)4Pc/PVDF-HFP nanofibers were performed using a hybrid functional RB3LYP and the 6-31 G (d,p) basis set, employing Gaussian 09. DFT calculations illustrated that the calculated physical and electronic parameters ensured the feasibility of the interaction of PVDF-HFP with Zn(4-PPOx)4Pc via a halogen-hydrogen bond, resulting in a highly stable and remarkably reactive structure. Moreover, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) maps were drawn to identify the reactive regions of the Zn(4-PPOx)4Pc and PVDF-HFP/Zn(4-PPOx)4Pc nanofibers. Molecular docking analysis revealed that Zn(4-PPOx)4Pc has highest binding affinity (-8.56 kcal/mol) with protein from S. aureus (1N67) mainly with ten amino acids (ASP405, LYS374, GLU446, ASN406, ALA441, TYR372, LYS371, TYR448, LYS374, and ALA442). These findings highlight the promising potential of Zn(4-PPOx) 4Pc/PVDF-HFP nanocomposite membranes in improving the efficiency of water desalination by reducing biofouling and providing antibacterial properties.

Synthesis and Characterization of New Imidazole Phthalocyanine for Photodegradation of Micro-Organic Pollutants from Sea Water

In this study, a series of new metal phthalocyanines with imidazole function MPc(Imz) (M: Cd, Hg, Zn and Pd) were synthesized to improve the photocatalyst performances. All physical properties such as total energy, HOMO, LUMO energies of MPc(Imz), as well as their vibrational frequencies have been determined by DFT method using B3LYP theory level at 6-311G (d, p) and sdd basis set. The gap of energy level between work function (WF) of ITO and LUMO of PdPc(Imdz) was 1.53 eV and represents the highest barrier beneficial to electron injection compared to WF of ZnPc(Imz), HgPc(Imz), and CdPc(Imz). Furthermore, the PdPc(Imdz) thin films on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass were prepared by spin coating and vacuum evaporation technique, and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface electron morphology (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the ITO/glass supported thin films and degradation rates of chlorinated phenols in synthetic seawater, under visible light irradiation were optimized to achieve conversions of 80–90%. Experiments on synthetic seawater samples showed that the chloride-specific increase in photodegradation could be attributed to photochemically generated chloride radicals rather than other photoproduced reactive intermediates [e.g., excited-state triplet PdPc(Imz) (3PdPc(Imz)*), reactive oxygen species]. The major 2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenol degradation intermediates identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were 2,3,5-Trichlorophenol, 3,5-dichlorophenol, dichlorodihydroxy-benzene and 3,4,5-trichlorocatechol.

Zinc(II) phthalocyanine fused in peripheral positions octa-substituted with alkyl linked carbazole: Synthesis, electropolymerization and its electro-optic and biosensor applications

Zinc(II) phthalocyanine fused in peripheral positions octa-substituted with alkyl linked carbazole has been prepared by cyclomerization reaction of 4,5-bis(6-carbazole-9-yl-hexylsulfanil)phthalonitrile in the presence of anhydro Zn(II) acetate and a strong organic base (DBU). Synthesis steps were optimized and higher efficiency synthesis was achieved. The purpose of combining of carbazole moieties with phthalocyanine on the peripheral position is to enhance some properties such as photo and electrochemical properties because of strong electron-donating properties of carbazole group. This molecule has been electrochemically polymerized and the electrical and optical properties of the resulting conductive polymer have been investigated. Amperometric detection was carried out following oxygen consumption at -0.7V vs. the Ag reference electrode in phosphate buffer (50mM, pH 6.0). The novel biosensor showed a linear amperometric response for glucose within a concentration range of 0.05mM to 1.5mM (LOD: 0.024mM). This result shows that modification of the proposed biosensor by copolymerization have provided to give perfect response to different glucose concentrations. Because of its superior spectral and electrochemical properties and contained zinc metal which can act as a mediator during biochemical reactions, this material has been used as a glucose biosensor platform to detection for real samples.

Mechanically Robust 3D Nanostructure Chitosan-Based Hydrogels with Autonomic Self-Healing Properties

Fabrication of hydrogels based on chitosan (CS) with superb self-healing behavior and high mechanical and electrical properties has become a challenging and fascinating topic. Most of the conventional hydrogels lack these properties at the same time. Our objectives in this research were to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the general properties of chitosan covalently cross-linked with zinc phthalocyanine tetra-aldehyde (ZnPcTa) framework. Our hope was to access an unprecedented self-healable three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure that would harvest the superior mechanical and electrical properties associated with chitosan. The properties of cross-linker such as the structure, steric effect, and rigidity of the molecule played important roles in determining the microstructure and properties of the resulting hydrogels. The tetra-functionalized phthalocyanines favor a dynamic Schiff-base linkage with chitosan to form a 3D porous nanostructure. Based on this strategy, the self-healing ability, as demonstrated by rheological recovery and macroscopic and microscopic observations, is introduced through dynamic covalent Schiff-base linkage between NH₂ groups in CS and benzaldehyde groups at cross-linker ends. The hydrogel was characterized using FT-IR, NMR, UV/vis, and rheological measurements. In addition, cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) was employed as a technique to visualize the internal morphology of the hydrogels. Study of the surface morphology of the hydrogel showed a 3D porous nanostructure with uniform morphology. Furthermore, incorporating the conductive nanofillers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), into the structure can modulate the mechanical and electrical properties of the obtained hydrogels. Interestingly, these hydrogel nanocomposites proved to have very good film-forming properties, high modulus and strength, acceptable electrical conductivity, and excellent self-healing properties at neutral pH. Such properties can be finely tuned through variation of the cross-linker and CNT concentration, and as a result these structures are promising candidates for potential applications in various fields of research.

A nanoporous photosensitizing hydrogel based on chitosan cross-linked by zinc phthalocyanine: an injectable and pH-stimuli responsive system for effective cancer therapy

Although zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) have promising applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT), their therapeutic efficacy suffer from their low solubility in the biological environment and their lack of tumor selectivity.

Development of a D–π–A pyrazinium photosensitizer possessing singlet oxygen generation

(D–π–)₂A pyrazinium dyes (OEJ-1 and OEJ-2) bearing a counter anion (X⁻ = Br⁻ or I⁻) have been newly developed as a photosensitizer possessing singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation.

The effect of a hydrogen bond on the supramolecular self-aggregation mode and the extent of metal-free benzoxazole-substituted phthalocyanines

Two novel metal-free benzoxazole-substituted phthalocyanines were synthesized and characterized. Their self-aggregation behavior was comparatively studied.

Silylation improves the photodynamic activity of tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives in vitro and in vivo

The effects of silyl and hydrophilic groups on the photodynamic properties of tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) derivatives have been studied in vitro and in vivo. Silylation led to an improvement in the quantum yield of singlet oxygen sensitization for both sulfo and carboxy derivatives, although the silylation did not affect other photophysical properties. Silylation also improved the cellular uptake efficiency for both sulfo and carboxy derivatives, enhancing the in vitro photodynamic activity of the photosensitizer in U251 human glioma cells. The carboxy derivative (SiTPPC4 ) was found to show higher cellular uptake efficiency and in vitro photodynamic activity than the corresponding sulfo derivative (SiTPPS4 ), which indicates that the carboxy group is a more promising hydrophilic group than the sulfo group in the silylated porphyrin. SiTPPC4 was found to show high selective accumulation efficiency in tumors, although almost no tumor selectivity was observed for the nonsilylated porphyrin. The concentration of SiTPPC4 in tumors was 13 times higher than that in muscle 12 h after drug administration. We also studied tumor response after treatment and found that silylation enhanced in vivo photodynamic activity significantly. SiTPPC4 shows higher photodynamic activity than NPe6 with white light irradiation.