Synthesis and spectral properties of phthalocyanine-BODIPY conjugates

Various zinc phthalocyanines were substituted at ortho or meta positions with 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-8-phenyl-4,4-difluoroboradiazaindacene (BODIPY) moieties via Pd catalyzed Sonogashira-coupling reactions, at either mesa or beta positions of the BODIPY. UV-Vis and fluorescence emission spectra of the conjugates exhibit panchromatic behavior due to their absorption over a broad spectral region from ultraviolet to visible and energy transfer from the excited BODIPY substituent to the phthalocyanine core. Some conjugates show red-shifted Q-bands that correlate to the planarity and dihedral angle between the subunits, as well as the position and number of attached BODIPY and phthalocyanine moieties. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.