Donor−Acceptor Phthalocyanine Nanoaggregates

Critical Assessment of Micellar Surface Charge-Dependent Disaggregation and Reaggregation of a Bis-Indole Self-Aggregate: What Should Be Our Case-Dependent Choice?

"Aggregation-caused quenching" is a deep-seated mechanism and has been widely used by the researchers as the possible basis for new sensor development. Contrast to aggregation, its turn around process, disaggregation, has gained much less consideration so far. Unfortunately, study of the further scope for reaggregation of the disaggregated probe assembly in the same solution, as and when required, is still under the rare category. The central theme of the current study is focused on this aspect. For this purpose, the effects of headgroup charge (cationic, anionic, and nonionic) and polarity of the micelles on the degree of disaggregation and subsequent emission amelioration of a synthesized bis-indole derivative, 3,3'-bisindolyl(phenyl)methane (BIPM), are studied using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. The relative emission yield of BIPM (φf = 0.01) is significantly enhanced in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (φf = 0.21) and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (φf = 0.24), whereas comparatively less emission enhancement is recorded within the sodium dodecyl sulfate system (φf = 0.07). In contrast, addition of an external biophilic agent, uric acid, causes requenching of the enhanced emission because of the reaggregation of the disaggregated probes. Detailed microscopic and calorimetric studies are also adopted to investigate the disaggregation-reaggregation mechanism of BIPM associations. The study will provide prior insights about the use of suitable micellar systems for the required degree of disaggregation as well as for the modulation of emission efficiency by controlled tuning of the disaggregation-reaggregation equilibrium for similar probe associations in pure aqueous medium avoiding any chemical transformation.

Graphene Oxide/Cholesterol-Substituted Zinc Phthalocyanine Composites with Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy Properties

In the present work, cholesterol (Chol)-substituted zinc phthalocyanine (Chol-ZnPc) and its composite with graphene oxide (GO) were prepared for photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications. Briefly, Chol-substituted phthalonitrile (Chol-phthalonitrile) was synthesized first through the substitution of Chol to the phthalonitrile group over the oxygen bridge. Then, Chol-ZnPc was synthesized by a tetramerization reaction of Chol-phthalonitrile with ZnCl2 in a basic medium. Following this, GO was introduced to Chol-ZnPc, and the successful preparation of the samples was verified through FT-IR, UV-Vis, 1H-NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, SEM, and elemental analysis. Regarding PDT properties, we report that Chol-ZnPc exhibited a singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ∆) of 0.54, which is slightly lower than unsubstituted ZnPc. Upon introduction of GO, the GO/Chol-ZnPc composite exhibited a higher Φ∆, about 0.78, than that of unsubstituted ZnPc. Moreover, this enhancement was realized with a simultaneous improvement in fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF) to 0.36. In addition, DPPH results suggest low antioxidant activity in the composite despite the presence of GO. Overall, GO/Chol-ZnPc might provide combined benefits for PDT, particularly in terms of image guidance and singlet oxygen generation.

Engineering Molecular Heterostructured Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Introducing a second metal species into atomically dispersed metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts to construct diatomic sites (DASs) is an effective strategy to elevate their activities and stabilities. However, the common pyrolysis-based method usually leads to substantial uncertainty for the formation of DASs, and the precise identification of the resulting DASs is also rather difficult. In this regard, we developed a two-step specific-adsorption strategy (pyrolysis-free) and constructed a DAS catalyst featuring FeCo "molecular heterostructures" (FeCo-MHs). In order to rule out the possibility of the two apparently neighboring (in the electron microscopy image) Fe/Co atoms being dispersed respectively on the top/bottom surfaces of the carbon support and thus forming "false" MHs, we conducted in situ rotation (by 8°, far above the critical angle of 5.3°) and directly identified the individual FeCo-MHs. The formation of FeCo-MHs could modulate the magnetic moments of the metal centers and increase the ratio of low-spin Fe(II)-N4 moiety; thus the intrinsic activity could be optimized at the apex of the volcano-plot (a relationship as a function of magnetic moments of metal-phthalocyanine complexes and catalytic activities). The FeCo-MHs catalyst displays an exceptional ORR activity (E1/2 = 0.95 V) and could be used to construct high-performance cathodes for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells and zinc-air batteries.

Photo-induced intramolecular electron transfer in phenoxazine-phthalocyanine donor-acceptor systems

Donor-Acceptor (D-A) systems based on phenoxazine – phthalocyanine (PXZ-Pc) and phenoxazine – zinc phthalocyanine (PXZ-ZnPc) have been designed and synthesized. Both D-A systems are characterized using various spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques including in-situ methods. Optical absorption studies suggest that both Soret and Q bands of these D-A systems are hypsochromically and bathochromically shifted, when compared to its individual constituents. The study supported by theoretical calculations shows clearly that there exists a negligible electronic communication in the ground state between donor phenoxazine and acceptor phthalocyanine. However, attractively, both D-A systems exhibit noteworthy fluorescence emission quenching (90–99%) of the phthalocyanine emission compared to its reference compounds. The fluorescence emission quenching featured at the excited-state intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer from ground state of phenoxazine to the excited state of phthalocyaine/zinc phthalocyanine. The rates of electron-transfer ([Formula: see text] of these D-A systems are found in the range of 5.7 × 108 to 2.8 × 109 s[Formula: see text] and are according to solvent polarity.

Recent Progress in Phthalocyanine-Polymeric Nanoparticle Delivery Systems for Cancer Photodynamic Therapy

This perspective article summarizes the last decade’s developments in the field of phthalocyanine (Pc)-polymeric nanoparticle (NP) delivery systems for cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT), including studies with at least in vitro data. Moreover, special attention will be paid to the various strategies for enhancing the behavior of Pc-polymeric NPs in PDT, underlining the great potential of this class of nanomaterials as advanced Pcs’ nanocarriers for cancer PDT. This review shows that there is still a lot of research to be done, opening the door to new and interesting nanodelivery systems.

A phosphorus-containing hyperbranched phthalocyanine flame retardant for epoxy resins

A hyperbranched phosphorus-containing copper phthalocyanine compound (DOPO-CuPc) was successfully synthesized and used as the flame-retardant additive to prepare flame-retarded epoxy thermosets. The addition of DOPO-CuPc led to a significant enhancement of the flame retardant properties of the epoxy resin. The 15DOPO-CuPc/EP composite obtained a LOI value of 35.8%, and the UL-94 rose from NR to V-0 rating. And the addition of DOPO-CuPc resulted in early decomposition of the epoxy thermoset, but the residual char at 700 °C reached 27.7%. The flame retardant mechanism was further investigated. It was found that DOPO-CuPc could release phosphorus-containing radicals and non-combustible gases in the gas phase to exert gas-phase flame retardant activity. In the condensed phase, the epoxy thermoset formed the expanded honeycomb-like char layer during combustion and the presence of copper phthalocyanine contributed to the stability of the char layer.

Helical Self-Assembly of Optically Active Glycoconjugated Phthalocyanine J-Aggregates

Four galactoconjugated zinc(II) phthalocyanines (Pcs) have been prepared and fully characterized. The carbohydrate-containing phthalonitrile precursors of the Pcs were synthesized through a copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The Pcs show a remarkable aggregation behaviour in solution, depending on the nature of the solvent, the temperature and the substitution position on the phthalocyanine. Solvent-dependent CD-spectroscopy experiments show that these Pcs aggregate as chiral helices in solution. Crystal structure data of a phthalocyanine bearing two carbohydrate units substantiate the properties shown by CD spectroscopy. Furthermore, the 1,2,3-triazole moieties of the Pcs play a decisive role in the formation of supramolecular aggregates. The glycoconjugated zinc(II) phthalocyanines described here show molar extinction coefficients ϵ_max >10⁵  M^-1  cm^-1 and absorption maxima λ_max >680 nm, which make them attractive photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).

Phthalocyanine-Cored Fluorophores with Fluorene-Containing Peripheral Two-Photon Antennae as Photosensitizers for Singlet Oxygen Generation

A series of free base and Zn(II) phthalocyanines featuring fluorenyl antennae linked by methoxy or oxo bridges to the phthalocyanine core (Pc) were synthesized and characterized. Selected linear and nonlinear (two-photon absorption) optical properties of these new compounds were subsequently studied. As previously observed for related porphyrin dendrimers bearing 2-fluorenyl peripheral dendrons, an efficient energy transfer occurs from the peripheral antennae to the central phthalocyanine core following excitation in the fluorenyl-based π–π* absorption band of these chromophores. Once excited, these compounds relax to the ground state, mostly by emitting intense red light or by undergoing intersystem crossing. As a result, the tetrafunctionalized Zn(II) phthalocyanines are fluorescent, but can also efficiently photosensitize molecular oxygen in tetrahydrofurane (THF), forming singlet oxygen with nearly comparable yields to bare Zn(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc). In comparison with the latter complex, the positive role of the fluorenyl-containing antennae on one- and two-photon brightness (2PA) is presently demonstrated when appended in peripheral (β) position to the phthalocyanine core. Furthermore, when compared to known porphyrin analogues, the interest in replacing the porphyrin by a phthalocyanine as the central core to obtain more fluorescent two-photon oxygen photosensitizers is clearly established. As such, this contribution paves the way for the future development of innovative biphotonic photosensitizers usable in theranostics.

Self-organization of octa-phenyl-2,3-naphthalocyaninato zinc floating layers

Formation of thin-film nanomaterials, promising for nanoelectronic applications, with a given structure based on octa-phenyl-2,3-naphthalocyaninato zinc.

Azaporphyrin phosphorus(v) complexes: synthesis, structure, and modification of optical properties

Azaporphyrinoids, such as phthalocyanines (Pcs), tetraazaporphyrins (TAPs), and tetrabenzotriazacorroles (TBCs), are some of the most well-known and successful artificial dyes and pigments in modern material chemistry.

Tomás Torres’ research in a nutshell

This review, dedicated to Professor Tomás Torres on the occasion of his 65th birthday, offers an overview of the main achievements in his research career. Having a strong background in organic chemistry, he and his group have constantly devoted much effort to the development of synthetic methods towards novel systems based on phthalocyanines and other porphyrinoid analogues. Not less important, the founding of solid collaborations with other prominent scientists has led to study the physicochemical properties of these [Formula: see text]-conjugated dyes, and to evaluate their potential application in multidisciplinary areas such as self-assembly, nanochemistry, optoelectronics and biomedicine.

Aggregation Control of Robust Water-Soluble Zinc(II) Phthalocyanine-Based Photosensitizers

A water-soluble zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) complex with four negatively charged electron-withdrawing sulfonic acid substituents at the nonperipheral positions (α-ZnTSPc) is found to have a high singlet oxygen (¹O₂) quantum yield and exhibits high photostability. The formation of aggregates is hindered and the highest occupied molecular orbital is significantly stabilized, making α-ZnTSPc potentially suitable for its use as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy and photoimmunotherapy. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveals that mixtures of the negatively charged α-ZnTSPc complex with a similar positively charged ZnPc were found to result in the self-assembly of one-dimensional accordion-like fibers. Supramolecular fibers can be formed in aqueous solutions through intermolecular electrostatic and donor-acceptor interactions between the two water-soluble ZnPcs.

A Colorful Life: Scientific Achievements of Tomás Torres in the Fields of Phthalocyanines, Molecular Materials and Nanoscience

Some of the most important achievements of Tomás Torres in the last few decades within the fields of Phthalocyanines and related compounds, Molecular Materials and Nanoscience are revised and his recognized international prestige in these areas highlighted on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

Aldehyde Substituted Phthalocyanines: Synthesis, Characterization and Investigation of Photophysical and Photochemical Properties

The new free and nickel phthalocyanine derivatives, tetrakis [(2-formylphenoxy)-phthalocyanine (4), tetrakis [(2-formylphenoxy)-phthalocyaninato]nickel(II) (5) have been synthesized via de-protection of tetra acetal-substituted phthalocyanines in acetic acid/FeCl3 system. The starting phthalocyanines, tetrakis [(2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)phenoxy)-phthalocyanine (2) and tetrakis [(2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)phenoxy)-phthalocyaninato]nickel (3), were prepared by the tetramerization of 4-(2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl) phenoxy) phthalonitrile (1). The new compounds have been characterized by the combination of FT-IR, (1)H NMR, UV-Vis, Mass spectra and elemental analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in the Orthorhombic, space group Pbca with a = 9.2542 (4) Å, b = 13.3299 (5) Å, c = 23.2333 (11) Å, and Z = 8. Compound 1 is built up from two planar groups (phthalonitrile and phenoxy), with a dihedral angle of 69.693(36)° between them and non-planar dioxolane group. We report a combined experimental and theoretical study on molecule 1, as well. Geometric, spectroscopic and electronic properties of compound 1 has been calculated using B3LYP method and 6-311++G(dp) basis set. Fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to record the photoluminescence spectra of the prepared phthalocyanines and the photophysical and photochemical properties were examined in DMSO.

Modulating Optoelectronic Properties of Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Semiconductors by Photoinduced Charge Transfer

Atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have attracted great interest as a new class of two-dimensional (2D) direct band gap semiconducting materials. The controllable modulation of optical and electrical properties of TMDCs is of fundamental importance to enable a wide range of future optoelectronic devices. Here we demonstrate a modulation of the optoelectronic properties of 2D TMDCs, including MoS2, MoSe2, and WSe2, by interfacing them with two metal-centered phthalocyanine (MPc) molecules: nickel Pc (NiPc) and magnesium Pc (MgPc). We show that the photoluminescence (PL) emission can be selectively and reversibly engineered through energetically favorable electron transfer from photoexcited TMDCs to MPcs. NiPc molecules, whose reduction potential is positioned below the conduction band minima (CBM) of monolayer MoSe2 and WSe2, but is higher than that of MoS2, quench the PL signatures of MoSe2 and WSe2, but not MoS2. Similarly, MgPc quenches only WSe2, as its reduction potential is situated below the CBM of WSe2, but above those of MoS2 and MoSe2. The quenched PL emission can be fully recovered when MPc molecules are removed from the TMDC surfaces, which may be refunctionalized and recycled multiple times. We also find that photocurrents from TMDCs, probed by photoconductive atomic force microscopy, increase over 2-fold only when the PL is quenched by MPcs, further supporting the photoinduced charge transfer mechanism. Our results should benefit design strategies for 2D inorganic-organic optoelectronic devices and systems with tunable properties and improved performances.

Study of the Edge-on Self-Assembly of Axially Substituted Silicon(IV) Phthalocyanine Derivatives in a Template on the HOPG Surface

Molecular conformation is an important issue related to the self-assembly architecture and property. The self-assembly of silicon(IV) phthalocyanines covalently linked to the 5-N-cytidine or 4-carboxyphenoxy moiety at the axial positions, namely, SiPc(NC)2 and SiPc(CP)2, respectively, has been studied by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at the solid-liquid interface. The intermolecular axial hydrogen bonding in combination with the stabilizing role of the TCDB template brings about supramolecular self-assembled structures of silicon(IV) phthalocyanines in an edge-on orientation. Two pyridine compounds, 4,4'-bipyridine (BPY) and 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene (DPE), can tune the supramolecular structure, leading to interestingly axial self-assemblies of SiPc(CP)2 with BPY and DPE in an edge-on manner by hydrogen bonding. The results indicate that the axial substituents and the axial ligands can regulate and precisely control the conformation and arrangement of the phthalocyanine moiety on the graphite surface.

Corrole–ferrocene and corrole–anthraquinone dyads: synthesis, spectroscopy and photochemistry

Two different donor–acceptor systems based on corrole–ferrocene (Cor–Fc) and corrole–anthraquinone (Cor–AQ) have been designed and synthesized. Excited state properties of these dyads indicates intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET) take place in these dyads and the electron-transfer rates (k_ET) was found to be ∼10¹¹s⁻¹. The charge separation (CS) and charge recombination (CR) are found to be identical.

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.

Self-assembled core–shell nanospheres and dendritic nanostructure of novel tetra-(3-phenyprop-2-allyloxy) phthalocyanine in different solvents

Novel metal-free tetra-(3-phenyprop-2-allyloxy) phthalocyanine was synthesized and characterized, and self-assemblies of it with a core–shell nanospherical and dendritic morphology were formed with H-bonds and π–π interactions probably being the main driving force.

Self-organized one-dimensional columns of benzo[b]thiophene-fused tetraazaporphyrins

Ring-expanded metallophthalocyanines fused with thiophene rings 1–4 have been synthesized by ring closing reaction from the o-chloroethynylbenzene substructures with Na 2 S 9 H 2 O . The self-organizing properties of these compounds have been studied by UV-vis spectroscopy in solution, π-A isotherms at air-water interface, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of a solid, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Whereas all compounds exhibit good solubility in organic solvents, thiophene-fused phthalocyanines form stable aggregates through strong intermolecular π–π interaction. Copper phthalocynaine Cu -2 possessing phenyl spacers produced long nano-fibrous assemblies from solution.

Supramolecular self-assembly and photovoltaic property of soluble fluorogallium phthalocyanine

Fluorogallium tetra-tert-butylphthalocyanine (ttbPcGaF) can self-organize into well-ordered cofacial structures to obtain one-dimensional (1D) supramolecular polymers in the solid state using a solution-coating technique. The ttbPcGaF-based BHJ OSC provided a profoundly improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.41%.

A series of asymmetrical phthalocyanines: synthesis and near infrared properties

We report here the preparation of asymmetrical phthalocyanine dimers 1a–3a, which are endowed with novel charge transfer bands at 1,151–1,154 nm and strong NIR luminescences at 840–860 nm and 1,600–1,650 nm. Through H-bonding interaction, 1a–3a are inclined to self-assemble into hexrod nanotubes at the interface of CHCl₃ and CH₃OH. Our results provide further insights into the interaction in molecular dimers, and suggest that 1a–3a have potential application in magnets and supramolecular architectures.