New electropolymerizable metal-free and metallophthalocyanines bearing {2,3-bis[3-(diethylamino)phenoxy]propoxy} substituents

Metal-free, copper and cobalt phthalocyanines bearing peripherally tetra substituted {2,3-bis[3-(diethylamino)phenoxy]propoxy} groups were synthesized by cyclotetramerization of the phthalonitrile derivative and their electrochemical properties were examined. Electrochemical studies of the phthalocyanines were performed with cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. Voltammetric studies show that cobalt phthalocyanine gives metal and Pc based reduction processes, while metal-free and copper phthalocyanines display only Pc based electron transfer reactions. On the other hand, all synthesized phthalocyanines electropolymerized on the working electrode during anodic and whole potential scans. Changing with the potential window of the electrolyte system electropolymerization mechanism changed. [Display omitted] •Synthesis and characterization of new phthalocyanines.•Investigation of electrochemical properties of phthalocyanines.•Determination of electropolymerization of the complexes.