Novel seven coordination geometry of Sn(IV): crystal structures of phthalocyaninato bis(undecylcarboxylato)Sn(IV), its Si(IV) analogue, and phthalocyaninato bis(chloro)silicon(IV). The electrochemistry of the Si(IV) analogue and related compounds

Use of Piers-Rubinsztajn Chemistry to Access Unique and Challenging Silicon Phthalocyanines

Axial functionalization is one mode that enables the solubility of silicon phthalocyanines (SiPcs). Our group observed that the use of typical axial functionalization methodologies on reaction of Cl₂SiPc with the chlorotriphenyl silane reagent unexpectedly resulted in the equal formation of triphenyl silyloxy silicon tetrabenzotriazacorrole ((3PS)-SiTbc) and the desired bis(tri-phenyl siloxy)-silicon phthalocyanine ((3PS)₂-SiPc). The formation of a (3PS)-SiTbc was unexpected, and the separation of (3PS)-SiTbc and (3PS)₂-SiPc was difficult. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the use of Piers-Rubinsztajn (PR) chemistry as an alternative method to functionalize the axial position of a SiPc to avoid the generation of a Tbc derivative. PR chemistry is a novel method to form a Si-O bond starting with a Si-H-based reactant and a -OH-based nucleophile enabled by tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane as a catalyst. The PR chemistry was screened on several fronts on how it can be applied to SiPcs. It was found that the process needs to be run in nitrobenzene at a molar ratio and at a particular temperature. To this end, the triphenylsiloxy derivative (3PS)₂-SiPc was produced and fully characterized, without the production of a Tbc derivative. In addition, we explored and outlined that the PR chemistry method can enable the formation of other SiPc derivatives that are inaccessible utilizing other established axial substitution chemistry methods such as (TM₃)₂-SiPc and (MDM)₂-SiPc. These additional materials were also physically characterized. The main conclusion is that the PR chemistry method can be applied to SiPcs and yield several alternative derivatives and has the potential to apply to additional macrocyclic compounds for unique derivative formation.

P-block single-metal-site tin/nitrogen-doped carbon fuel cell cathode catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

This contribution reports the discovery and analysis of a p-block Sn-based catalyst for the electroreduction of molecular oxygen in acidic conditions at fuel cell cathodes; the catalyst is free of platinum-group metals and contains single-metal-atom actives sites coordinated by nitrogen. The prepared SnNC catalysts meet and exceed state-of-the-art FeNC catalysts in terms of intrinsic catalytic turn-over frequency and hydrogen-air fuel cell power density. The SnNC-NH₃ catalysts displayed a 40-50% higher current density than FeNC-NH₃ at cell voltages below 0.7 V. Additional benefits include a highly favourable selectivity for the four-electron reduction pathway and a Fenton-inactive character of Sn. A range of analytical techniques combined with density functional theory calculations indicate that stannic Sn(IV)N_x single-metal sites with moderate oxygen chemisorption properties and low pyridinic N coordination numbers act as catalytically active moieties. The superior proton-exchange membrane fuel cell performance of SnNC cathode catalysts under realistic, hydrogen-air fuel cell conditions, particularly after NH₃ activation treatment, makes them a promising alternative to today's state-of-the-art Fe-based catalysts.

Hole Mobility Modulation in Single-Crystal Metal Phthalocyanines by Changing the Metal-π/π-π Interactions

Weak intermolecular interactions in organic semiconducting molecular crystals play an important role in determining molecular packing and electronic properties. Single crystals of metal-free and metal phthalocyanines were synthesized to investigate how the coordination of the central metal atom affects their molecular packing and resultant electronic properties. Single-crystal field-effect transistors were made and showed a hole mobility order of ZnPc>MnPc>FePc>CoPc>CuPc>H₂ Pc>NiPc. Density functional theory (DFT) and 1D polaron transport theory reach a good agreement in reproducing the experimentally measured trend for hole mobility. Additional detail analysis at the DFT level suggests the metal atom coordination into H₂ Pc planes can tune the hole mobility via adjusting the intermolecular distances along the shortest axis with closest parallel π stackings.

Near-Infrared Fluorescence of Silicon Phthalocyanine Carboxylate Esters

Seven silicon(IV) phthalocyanine carboxylate esters (SiPcs, 1–7) with non-, partially- and per-fluorinated aliphatic (linear or branched at the alpha-carbon) and aromatic ester groups have been synthesized, their solid-state structures determined and their optoelectronic properties characterized. The SiPcs exhibit quasi-reversible oxidation waves (vs. Fc⁺/Fc) at 0.58–0.75 V and reduction waves at −0.97 to −1.16 V centered on the phthalocyanine ring with a narrow redox gap range of 1.70–1.75 V. Strong absorbance in the near-infrared (NIR) region is observed for 1–7 with the lowest-energy absorption maximum (Q band) varying little as a function of ester between 682 and 691 nm. SiPcs 1–7 fluorescence in the near-infrared with emission maxima at 691–700 nm. The photoluminescence quantum yields range from 40 to 52%. As a function of esterification, the SiPcs 1–7 exhibit moderate-to-good solubility in chlorinated solvents, such as 1,2-dichlorobenzene and chloroform.

Synthetic, Spectroscopic, Crystallographic, and Biological Studies of Seven-Coordinated Diorganotin(IV) Complexes Derived from Schiff Bases and Pyridinic Carboxylic Acids

The synthesis and characterisation of diorganotin(iv) monomeric derivatives of pyridine Schiff bases and pyridinic carboxylic acids are reported. All complexes were characterised by mass spectrometry, elemental analyses, IR spectra, and multinuclear NMR analyses. Among them, complexes 5a, 5d, 5e, 5g, and 6a were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses, which led to establishing that the tin atom is seven-coordinated and has a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination environment in the solid state and also revealed that both ligands occupy the equatorial positions and the organic substituents the axial positions. The antioxidant activity of the synthetic derivatives towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) as well as the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay were determined, and were compared with standard antioxidants, showing a dose-dependent activity in both cases. A prominent response was obtained depending on the substituent. The anti-inflammatory activity was also evaluated on a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) model of induced acute inflammation. The results of the biological tests are discussed in terms of structural characteristics.

Assessing the potential roles of silicon and germanium phthalocyanines in planar heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices and how pentafluoro phenoxylation can enhance π-π interactions and device performance

In this study, we have assessed the potential application of dichloro silicon phthalocyanine (Cl2-SiPc) and dichloro germanium phthalocyanine (Cl2-GePc) in modern planar heterojunction organic photovoltaic (PHJ OPV) devices. We have determined that Cl2-SiPc can act as an electron donating material when paired with C60 and that Cl2-SiPc or Cl2-GePc can also act as an electron acceptor material when paired with pentacene. These two materials enabled the harvesting of triplet energy resulting from the singlet fission process in pentacene. However, contributions to the generation of photocurrent were observed for Cl2-SiPc with no evidence of photocurrent contribution from Cl2-GePc. The result of our initial assessment established the potential for the application of SiPc and GePc in PHJ OPV devices. Thereafter, bis(pentafluoro phenoxy) silicon phthalocyanine (F10-SiPc) and bis(pentafluoro phenoxy) germanium phthalocyanine (F10-GePc) were synthesized and characterized. During thermal processing, it was discovered that F10-SiPc and F10-GePc underwent a reaction forming small amounts of difluoro SiPc (F2-SiPc) and difluoro GePc (F2-GePc). This undesirable reaction could be circumvented for F10-SiPc but not for F10-GePc. Using single crystal X-ray diffraction, it was determined that F10-SiPc has significantly enhanced π-π interactions compared with that of Cl2-SiPc, which had little to none. Unoptimized PHJ OPV devices based on F10-SiPc were fabricated and directly compared to those constructed from Cl2-SiPc, and in all cases, PHJ OPV devices based on F10-SiPc had significantly improved device characteristics compared to Cl2-SiPc.

The structure and properties of a sheathed, low reactivity silicon phthalocyanine and the potential for still more inert phthalocyanines

The structure of a silicon phthalocyanine having a sheath composed of eight 1,4-isobutoxy, four bidentate 2,3-dibenzobarreleno substituents, and two trans-heptacyclopentylpentacyclooctasiloxy ligands has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The macrocycle in this compound is nearly completely covered by its sheath, but there is a channel in it which is large enough to give small diatomic molecules easy access to the macrocycle. In solution, transient channels exist in the sheath because of molecular vibrations. The structure of the compound also has been determined by a PM6 semi-empirical calculation. Except for one understandable difference, the results from this calculation are in good agreement with the results from the crystal determination. The van der Waals volume of the molecule has been determined from both the crystal and PM6 data by a Monte Carlo method. The amount of steric hindrance present in analogs of the compound in which its isobutoxy substituents are replaced by other alkoxy groups has been examined through calculations based on van der Waals volumes. Possible analogs of this sheathed molecule are suggested in which the sheath may be impenetrable to even small molecules and thus that are highly resistant to attack.

Synthesis and characterization of a new (phthalocyani-nato)bis(carboxylate) silicon(IV) compound with increased solubility

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a new soluble silicon(IV) phthalocyanine complex is presented. The compound shows an increased solubility compared to its SiPcCl 2 precursor and this allowed solution 1 H NMR characterization. The assignment of the 1 H NMR signals for the axial ligands is greatly facilitated due to the anisotropic high ring current effects from the macrocycle. In addition, good quality crystals were grown from this more soluble material for molecular structure determination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecular structure determination shows that the complex crystallizes in a non-centrosymmetric space group due to the inherent chirality of the naproxene ligands. Bond lengths and angles fit well to other analogous compounds previously reported.

Novel phthalocyaninatobis(alkylcarboxylato)silicon(IV) compounds: NMR data and X-ray structures to study the spacing provided by long hydrocarbon tails that enhance their solubility

The reaction between trans-PcSiCl2 (1) and the potassium salts of six fatty acids (2 a-2 f) led to the trans-PcSi[OOC(CH2)nCH3]2 compounds (3 a-3 f), which were characterised by elemental analysis, IR, UV/Vis and 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. From a detailed study of the NMR spectra, the strong anisotropic currents of the Pc macrocycle were found to have an effect on up to the sixth methylenic group. As expected, the length of the hydrocarbon tail does not affect the chemical shift of the 29Si nucleus of any of the compounds, appearing at around -222.6. The structures of PcSi[OOC(CH2)nCH3]2, where n = 7, 10, 12, 13 and 20, were determined by X-ray crystallography. All the compounds were found to be triclinic with a P1 space group. In all cases the observed crystallographic pseudosymmetry is Ci and the asymmetric unit consists of half a molecule. The silicon atom is at the centre of a distorted octahedron and hence its coordination number is six. The carboxylate fragments are in a trans configuration with respect to the Pc macrocycle. The supramolecular structures are discussed in detail herein. The correlation between the 1H NMR chemical shifts and the position of the corresponding carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon tail reveals that the dicarboxylate substituents exhibit a spacer-like behaviour that enhances the solubility. A detailed study of the tail variable allowed us to evaluate the loss of radial shielding along the Pc2- ligand.

Tetrapyrrole Singlet Excited State Quenching by Carotenoids in an Artificial Photosynthetic Antenna

Two artificial photosynthetic antenna models consisting of a Si phthalocyanine (Pc) bearing two axially attached carotenoid moieties having either 9 or 10 conjugated double bonds are used to illustrate some of the function of carotenoids in photosynthetic membranes. Both models studied in toluene, methyltetrahydrofuran, and benzonitrile exhibited charge separated states of the type C*+-Pc*- confirming that the quenching of the Pc S1 state is due to photoinduced electron transfer. In hexane, the Pc S1 state of the 10 double bond carotenoid-Pc model was slightly quenched but the C*+-Pc*- transient was not spectroscopically detected. A semiclassical analysis of the data in hexane at temperatures ranging from 180 to 320 K was used to demonstrate that photoinduced electron transfer could occur. The model bearing the 10 double bond carotenoids exhibits biexponential fluorescence decay in toluene and in hexane, which is interpreted in terms of an equilibrium mixture of two isomers comprising s-cis and s-trans conformers of the carotenoid. The shorter fluorescence lifetime is associated with an s-cis carotenoid conformer where the close approach between the donor and acceptor moieties provides through-space electronic coupling in addition to the through-bond component.

Nanocap-Shaped Tin Phthalocyanines: Synthesis, Characterization, and Corrosion Inhibition Activity

Thermal and microwave reactions between [PcSn(IV)Cl2] (1) and the potassium salts of eight fatty acids (2 a-h) led to cis-[(RCO2)2Sn(IV)Pc] compounds (3 a-h) in yields ranging from 54 to 90 %. Compounds 3 a-h were fully characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy (IR, UV/Vis, multinuclear NMR), and seven X-ray diffraction structures, whereby two different allotropes were observed in two cases. The two carboxylates in 3 have a cis anisobidentate binding mode, octacoordination of the tin atoms with square-antiprismatic geometry, and pi-electron-rich nanocap shapes. On account of the latter characteristics, 3 a-h compounds have anticorrosion properties. LPR and Tafel electrochemical methods were used to characterize the behavior of these derivatives in naturally aerated sour brine, which is a common environment in petroleum production and refinery operations. The measurement of the corrosion rate of carbon steel AISI 1018 in the presence of 3 a-h (500 ppm) gave efficiencies of 61-87 % for the inhibitor performance. Of the different derivatives examined, compounds 3 e and 3 h were the most effective corrosion inhibitor prototypes.

Microwave Assisted Stereoselective Synthesis of Cis-Substituted TinIV Phthalocyanine Dicarboxylates. Application as Corrosion Inhibitors

Two PcSn(IV) dicarboxylate molecules were obtained through efficient microwave methodology with the aim to test them as corrosion inhibitors in the oil industry. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, (1)H, (13)C NMR, and X-ray diffraction. The relative configuration of the two carboxylates is cis, placing the fatty acid moieties on the same face of the phthalocyanine macrocycle. In the solid-state the tin atoms possess square antiprismatic octacoordinated geometries. Both tin phthalocyanines were tested as corrosion inhibitors for hydrogen sulfide corrosive media showing a chemisorption process of the nanocap motifs on the metallic surface. Apparently, the length of the hydrophobic chain contributes significantly to the inhibition efficiency, in the sense that shorter chains increase the efficiency.

High-efficiency energy transfer from carotenoids to a phthalocyanine in an artificial photosynthetic antenna

Two carotenoid pigments have been linked as axial ligands to the central silicon atom of a phthalocyanine derivative, forming molecular triad 1. Laser flash studies on the femtosecond and picosecond time scales show that both the carotenoid S1 and S2 excited states act as donor states in 1, resulting in highly efficient singlet energy transfer from the carotenoids to the phthalocyanine. Triplet energy transfer in the opposite direction was also observed. In polar solvents efficient electron transfer from a carotenoid to the phthalocyanine excited singlet state yields a charge-separated state that recombines to the ground state of 1.