Synthesis, characterization and photostability of several soluble tetra(quinolin-8-yloxy)metallophthalocyanines

Five tetra(quinolin-8-yloxy)metallophthalocyanines 4a–4e were synthesized from 4-(quinolin-8-yloxy)phthalonitrile in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene (DBU) as the catalyst, and characterized by MS, 1H NMR, UV–Vis, IR and elemental analysis, which were consistent with the proposed structures. The Q band wavelength of them is related to the metal species in center of Pc rings and follows an order: Mn > Zn ≈ Cu > Ni ≈ Co. They all possess excellent solubility in several polar organic solvents, such as chloroform and dichloromethane. But the stability of them, especially that with zinc as coordinated center, is very poor in solutions.