Octaalkylphthalocyaninato ruthenium(II) complexes with mixed axial ligands and supramolecular porphyrin:phthalocyanine structures derived from them

Complementary syntheses of 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(alkyl) substituted ruthenium phthalocyanines, in which either one or two axial ligands can be added, are described. Their utility in the preparation of further (pyridyl) ligated derivatives has been shown to be straightforward. The chemistry is sufficiently robust and efficient to permit elaborate, supramolecular complexes to be prepared, as demonstrated by the synthesis of porphyrin–phthalocyanine multichromophore arrays.