Photophysicochemical and aggregation studies of highly soluble Zn(II) and Mg(II) phthalocyanine compounds based on Tinuvin-326

Abstract

In this work, tetra-substituted Zn(II) and Mg(II) phthalocyanine compounds with 2-(5-chloro-2-benzotriazolyl)6-tertbutyl-p-cresol (Tinuvin-326) groups were synthesized for the first time and their usability as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy applications was examined. Zn(II)-containing (ZnPc) and Mg(II)-containing (MgPc) phthalocyanine compounds based on 2-(5-chloro-2-benzotriazolyl)-6-tertbutyl-p-cresoldicyanobenzene were produced. ZnPc and MgPc compounds exhibit excellent solubility in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethyl formamide (DMF), tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, chloroform, dichloromethane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol and toluene solvents. The aggregation and photophysicochemical behavior of both phthalocyanine compounds were studied in DMSO and DMF solvents. The data collected indicate that both phthalocyanine compounds may be candidate photosensitizers for PDT applications.