Synthesis and characterization of non-aggregating octa-substituted azaphthalocyanines bearing bulky phenoxy substituents

The synthesis and characterization of two novel series of octaazaphthalocyanines (AzaPc) bearing bulky phenoxy substituents are described. Target precursors to AzaPcs derivatives were prepared by using a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction between sterically hindered phenols (2,6-di-iso-propylphenol and 2,6-diphenylphenol) and 5,6-dichloropyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile. UV–vis and 1H NMR analyses confirm that steric isolation of the AzaPcs cores enforced both in the solution and in the solid state. This study explores the effectiveness of the steric factor imposed by the applied bulky phenoxy substituents on the packing behaviour of azaphthalocyanines and thereby improving their solubility and photo-physical properties.