Spectroscopic, electrochemical and optical properties of non-peripherally (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methoxy groups substituted metal-free and metallophthalocyanines

•Synthesis and characterization of non-peripherally metal-free and metallo phthalocyanines bearing four (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methoxy groups.•Investigation of electrochemical properties.•Investigation of optical properties of phthalocyanine thin films. Metal-free and metallophthalocyanine complexes (M = 2H, InCl, or MnCl) containing (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methoxy groups were synthesized and characterized. The electrochemical properties of the phthalocyanine complexes were investigated by cyclic and square wave voltammetry. Metal-free and indium phthalocyanines give ring-based oxidation and reduction processes, while manganese phthalocyanine gives both metal and ring-based redox processes. Thin films of phthalocyanines were prepared by spin coating technique. The films were investigated as a function of the different metal ions in the inner core, with the transmittance spectrum measured at a wavelength range of 200–1000 nm. The results show that type of metal ions in the phthalocyanine core clearly change the transmittance values of the thin films of phthalocyanine complexes. Surface morphologies of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. It has been observed that metal-free films form a more continuous and non-porous structure, while InPc and MnPc films have a porous surface. [Display omitted]