Synthesis and characterization of novel HMPM bridged ball-type metallophthalocyanines, and their DFT studies and electrochemical performance as supercapacitor electrodes

Novel 4, 4′-(((2-(3, 4-dicyanophenoxy)-5-methyl-1, 3-phenylene) bis (methylene)) bis (4-methyl-3, 1-phenylene)) bis (oxy)) -bridged ball-type phthalocyanines were achieved from 4, 4′-(((2-(3, 4-dicyanophenoxy)-5-methyl-1, 3-phenylene) bis (methylene)) bis (4-methyl-3, 1-phenylene)) bis (oxy)) diphthalonitrile through appropriate transition metal (II) acetate salts in 2-dimethylaminoethanol. The new tris-phthalonitrile precursor was achieved from 3,3′-((2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-phenylene) bis (methylene)) bis (4-methylphenol), and 4-nitrophthalonitrile with the presence of catalyst potassium carbonate in dimethylformamide at 50○C. The structural verification of the compounds was accomplished by proton-nuclear magnetic resonance, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass, infrared, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopic methods. The BTCuPc electrode material exhibited a specific capacitance of 265 F.g−1 at a scan rate of 5 mV.s−1 in 3.0 M KCl aqueous electrolyte. In addition, a wide operating potential range (1.5 V) was achieved in the aqueous electrolyte. [Display omitted] •The novel HMPM bridged ball-type metallophthalocyanines were synthesized.•Ball-type metallophthalocyanines were characterized using IR, 1H NMR, UV–vis and MALDI TOF mass spectroscopic methods.•The BTCuPc electrode material had the highest specific capacitance of 265 F.g−1 at a current density of 2 A.g−1.•A wide operating potential range (1.5 V) was obtained in the 3.0 M KCl aqueous electrolyte.•DFT and TD-DFT calculations were performed to investigate structural parameters and electronic transitions.