Synthesis and photochemical properties of phthalocyanine zinc(II) complexes containing o-carborane units☆

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of novel phthalocyanine zinc(II) complexes containing o -carborane units are described. The following properties of o -carboranyl-substituted phthalocyanines were investigated: singlet oxygen quantum yield, photo-oxidative stability, photocatalytic activity in the photooxidation of ( S )-(−)-citronellol. The o -carboranyl substituted phthalocyanine zinc(II) complexes exhibit improved singlet oxygen quantum yields, photo-oxidative stabilities, photocatalytic activities compared to phthalocyanine zinc(II) complexes without o -carboranyl groups. Therefore these o -carboranyl complexes are of interest for use in cancer therapy.