Synthesis and photo-physicochemical properties of phthalocyanines substituted with sterically hindered phenol

Synthesis of the Zn, Mg, and LuOAc phthalocyanines (Pcs) containing sterically hindered 2,6-di-(tert-butyl)-4-methylphenol group were successfully achieved by the cyclotetramerization of the 4-[2,6-di-(tert-butyl)-4-methylphenoxy]phthalonitrile. All compounds were fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, infrared, elemental analysis, UV–Vis, and MALDI-TOF spectral data. The photo-physicochemical properties of the targeted molecules include fluorescence quantum yields, lifetimes, singlet oxygen generation, and photodegradation quantum yields were recorded in dimethyl sulfoxide.