A push–pull unsymmetrical subphthalocyanine dimer† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5sc01709b

Unsymmetrical subphthalocyanine fused dimers have been prepared, resulting in unprecedented push–pull π-extended curved aromatic macrocycles. Unsymmetrical subphthalocyanine fused dimers have been prepared from appropriate ortho -dinitrile SubPc precursors. In particular, either electron-donating or electron-accepting substituents have been introduced on each SubPc constituent unit, resulting in unprecedented push–pull π-extended curved aromatic macrocycles. From fluorescence experiments in solvents of different polarity we conclude a dual fluorescence, namely a delocalized singlet excited state (1.73 eV) and a polarized charge transfer state (