Zinc Naphthalocyanine Research Articles

Photoacoustic Vaporization of Endoskeletal Droplets Loaded with Zinc Naphthalocyanine.

Vaporizable endoskeletal droplets are solid hydrocarbons in liquid fluorocarbon droplets in which melting of the hydrocarbon phase leads to the vaporization of the fluorocarbon phase. In prior work, vaporization of the endoskeletal droplets was achieved thermally by heating the surrounding aqueous medium. In this work, we introduce a near-infrared (NIR) optically absorbing naphthalocyanine dye (zinc 2,11,20,29-tetra-tert-butyl-2,3-naphthalocynanine) into the solid hydrocarbon (eicosane, n-C20H42) core of liquid fluorocarbon (C5F12) drops suspended in an aqueous medium. Droplets with a uniform diameter of 11.7 ± 0.7 μm were formed using a flow-focusing microfluidic device. The solid hydrocarbon formed a crumpled spherical structure within the liquid fluorocarbon droplet. The photoactivation behavior of these dye-containing endoskeletal droplets was investigated using NIR laser irradiation. When exposed to a pulsed laser of 720 nm wavelength, the dye-containing droplets vaporized at an average laser fluence of 65 mJ/cm2, whereas blank droplets without the dye did not vaporize at any fluence up to 100 mJ/cm2. Furthermore, dye-loaded droplets with a smaller, polydisperse size distribution were prepared using a simple shaking method and studied in a flow phantom for their photoacoustic signal and ultrasound contrast imaging. These results demonstrate that dye-containing endoskeletal droplets can be made to vaporize by externally applied optical energy. Such droplets may be useful for a variety of photoacoustic applications for sensing, imaging, and therapy.

Redox-responsive nano-micelles containing trisulfide bonds to enhance photodynamic efficacy of zinc naphthalocyanine

A novel amphiphilic polymer with the trisulfide bond was developed. The nano-micelles could be formed through the self-assembling of this polymer with hydrophobic zinc naphthalocyanine, a NIR-absorbing photosensitizer. The micelles showed unique rods, high drug loading, high stability, high sensitivity to GSH, and excellent biosafety. The singlet oxygen production quantum yield of micelles was obviously higher than that of free photosensitizers and micelles containing disulphide bonds in the simulated tumor environment. The phototoxicity of micelles in cancer cells was significant. The redox response drug-loaded micelle was promising to enhance the photodynamic efficacy of zinc naphthalocyanine in cancer cells.

Novel 2-naphthyl substituted zinc naphthalocyanine: synthesis, optical, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties

New zinc naphthalocyanine with bulky 2-naphthyl groups was obtained. Aggregation drastically influences its optical and electrochemical behavior. Spectroelectrochemistry helps to establish the oxidation potential and reveals unusual color change.

Unsymmetrical zinc (II) phthalocyanine and zinc (II) naphthalocyanine with 2,3-Dicyano-1,4-diphenylnaphthalene precursor

The synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of an unsymmetrical zinc (II) phthalocyanine and zinc (II) naphthalocyanine derivative are described. The precursor 2,3-Dicyano-1,4-diphenylnaphthalene was synthetized by Diels-Alder reaction with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran and fumaronitrile. The macrocycles were characterized by MALDI-TOF, FTIR, 1H NMR and UV–vis. On their spectroscopy, the impact of the added aromatic moiety was investigated in solution, observing a bathochromic shift in UV–vis absorption, emission and excitation spectra. The structural and electronic properties indicated that the geometry reorganization during the excitation and relaxation processes, and the dipole moment of the ground state, increases the generation of singlet oxygen in solution.

Density functional theory studies on the structures and vibrational spectroscopic characteristics of nickel, copper and zinc naphthalocyanines.

Molecular geometries and electronic structure calculations and spectroscopic assignments for metallonaphthalocyanines NiNc, CuNc and ZnNc are performed on the optimized geometries at B3LYP/6-31G* level. The order of the bond lengths of the NM bonds is computed to be NiNc < CuNc < ZnNc. The Mulliken atomic charges of the central M vary in the same order as the bond lengths. The metal dependent frequencies of IR-active and Raman-active vibrational modes decrease in the order of NiNc > CuNc > ZnNc, which is in reverse sequence of the N-M bond length. The strongest Raman lines predicted at 1570 (NiNc), 1546 (CuNc) and 1525 (ZnNc) cm-1 are highly sensitive to the metal ion. Comparison of the calculated properties of MNcs and MPcs (metallphthalocyanines) compounds reveals some interesting and meaningful results due to extension of the conjugated systems.

Facile development of biodegradable polymer-based nanotheranostics: Hydrophobic photosensitizers delivery, fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is reported to be a promising technique to eradicate various cancers. As most of the photosensitizers (PSs) are hydrophobic in nature, thus, the effective delivery of PSs at the targeted site is the main hurdle associated with PDT. Zinc phthalocyanine and Zinc naphthalocyanine are reported as good PSs, however, highly hydrophobic characteristics restrict their use for clinical applications. To circumvent this limitation here we developed the advanced polymer-based nano-delivery system having polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated polymeric core with ~90% PS encapsulation. The PEG coating was responsible for the stabilization of probe in the physiological environment and storage conditions. The developed theranostic probes showed efficient in vitro fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yields upon irradiation with 620–750 nm (30 mW/cm2) light. The clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) based mechanism of cellular internalization was evaluated. The fluorescence of treated MCF-7 cells showed the ability of the probes as imaging agents. Moreover, up to 65% cell inhibition showed their cytotoxic efficiency. Further, comparatively higher tumor-accumulation of PSs without significant hepato/nephro-toxicity shown in vivo experimentation using breast tumor-bearing female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats suggested the featured passive targeting ability of preparations and clinically safe to be used. The study explored the exceptional delivery system for hydrophobic PSs with commendable theranostic applications.

The third order nonlinear optical properties of graphene oxide–zinc (II) naphthalocyanine hybrids and amino graphene oxide–zinc (II) naphthalocyanine hybrids

Novel tetracarboxylic zinc naphthalocyanine-graphene oxide (ZnNcC4-GO) and tetracarboxylic zinc naphthalocyanine-amino graphene oxide (ZnNcC4-NGO) hybrids have been prepared with a covalent functionalization method. A series of characterizations have been used to prove the structures of ZnNcC4-GO and ZnNcC4-NGO hybrids. The third order nonlinear optical properties were investigated using the Z-scan technique at 532 nm with 4 ns laser pulses. Either ZnNcC4-GO or ZnNcC4-NGO exhibited much larger nonlinear optical absorption coefficients than GO and ZnNcC4 as a result of the covalent link between GO and ZnNcC4. ZnNcC4-NGO hybrids perform the enhanced NLO properties than ZnNcC4-GO, attributed to the increased excited state absorption from the extended sp2 carbon configurations of the NGO moiety in ZnNcC4-NGO hybrids along with the partial reduction of NGO nanosheets, and the stronger PET/ET process between NGO and ZnNcC4. Moreover, the Z-scan curve of ZnNcC4-NGO shows a deeper RSA valley and the larger β value compared to that of ZnPcC4-NGO because the π-conjugated system of ZnNcC4 is larger relative to that of ZnPcC4.

Photophysical insights behind zinc naphthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle interaction and its effect over supramolecular interaction between zinc napthalocyanine and PyC 60 in solution

Abstract This work envisages an efficient energy transfer phenomenon from zinc naphthalocyanine ( 1 ) to dodecanethiol functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNp) having size of 3–6 nm in toluene. Significant enhancement in singlet energy transfer efficiency is observed for 1 -AuNp conjugate. Role of AuNp over the non-covalent interaction between 1 and C 60 pyrrolidine tris-acid ethyl ester (PyC 60 ) is studied by various spectroscopic tools; considerable reduction in the magnitude of binding constant for 1 -PyC 60 supramolecule is observed in presence of AuNp. Dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscope and scanning tunneling microscope measurements give clear evidence in favour of the surface binding of 1 to AuNp.

Topological Control of Columnar Stacking Made of Liquid-Crystalline Thiophene-Fused Metallonaphthalocyanines.

The spontaneous organization of two‐dimensional polyaromatic molecules into well‐defined nanostructures through noncovalent interactions is important in the development of organic‐based electronic and optoelectronic devices. Two regioisomers of thiophene‐fused zinc naphthalocyanines ZnTNcendo and ZnTNcexo have been designed and synthesized to obtain photo‐ and electroactive liquid crystalline materials. Both compounds exhibited liquid crystalline behavior over a wide temperature range through intermolecular π–π interactions and local phase segregation between the aromatic cores and peripheral side chains. The structural differences between ZnTNcendo and ZnTNcexo affected the stacking mode in self‐assembled columns, as well as symmetry of the two‐dimensional rectangular columnar lattice. The columnar structure in liquid crystalline phase exhibited an ambipolar charge‐transport behavior.

Quantum Beats and Phase Shifts in Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectra of Zinc Naphthalocyanine Monomer and Aggregate.

The origin of quantum coherence in two-dimensional (2D) electronic spectra of molecular aggregates and light-harvesting complexes still remains an open question. In particular, it could be challenging to distinguish between electronic and vibrational coherences for a coupled system, where both degrees of freedom can be simultaneously excited. In this Letter, we examine quantum beats in the 2D spectra of zinc naphthalocyanine (ZnNc) aggregate and monomer, and compare their characteristic features in terms of the frequency and relative phase of diagonal and off-diagonal amplitude oscillations. The long-lasting oscillating components (>1 ps) at 600-700 cm(-1) observed in both the aggregate and monomer are found to be attributed to the vibrational coherence. The wide phase variations of the 2D spectral amplitude oscillations are observed not just in the aggregate but also in the monomer state. This suggests that the unusual 90° phase shift may be attributed to neither quantum population-to-coherence transfer nor vibronic exciton coupling.

Synthesis and characterization of zinc naphthalocyanine derivative with potential application in photodynamic therapy

We report the synthesis and characterization of phthalocyanine–naphthalocyanine hybrids and the impact of the extended π-conjugation on the macrocycles aggregation, singlet oxygen production, fluorescence lifetime and quantum yields in solution. We observed that the addition of naphthalol units in the structure causes a bathochromic shift in UV-vis, emission and excitation bands and decreases the quantum yield of singlet oxygen in solution.

Enhancement of photodynamic therapy effects with mitochondrial reactive oxygen species

Enhancement of photodynamic therapy effects with mitochondrial reactive oxygen species

Synthesis and characterization of novel symmetrical and asymmetrical carboxyphthalocyanines with potential application in photodynamic therapy

Synthesis and characterization of novel symmetrical and asymmetrical carboxyphthalocyanines with potential application in photodynamic therapy

Femtosecond Transient Absorption Study of Supramolecularly Assembled Metal Tetrapyrrole–TiO2 Thin Films

Photoexcited electron injection and back electron transfer dynamics of metal tetrapyrrole bound to TiO2 nanoparticle surfaces via the metal–ligand axial coordination approach have been investigated using femtosecond pump–probe transient spectroscopic technique. The employed metal tetrapyrroles include zinc and magnesium metalated meso-tetraarylporphyrins having halogen substituents on the peripheral aryl groups, perfluorinated zinc phthalocyanine derivatives, and zinc naphthalocyanine. The employed metal tetrapyrroles covered absorption at different portions of the visible and near-IR region of the spectrum with excited-state reduction potentials ranging between −0.61 eV and −1.34 V, that is, having energy higher than the TiO2 conduction band edge (−0.57 V vs NHE). Two linkers, pyridine and phenylimidazole, have been employed to visualize electronic coupling between the dye and metal oxide surface for optimal electron injection and back electron transfer dynamics. In agreement with the previously reported photocurrent generation of dye-sensitized solar cells constructed using this self-assembly approach (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 14646), spectral evidence for electron injection from the excited metal tetrapyrrole to the TiO2 nanoparticle in the form of a tetrapyrrole radical cation has been obtained. The time profile of the π-cation radical of tetrapyrroles revealed the occurrence of ultrafast electron injection (time constant = 470–700 fs), while the back electron transfer processes were found to be complicated due to the intricate environment of the metallotetrapyrrole–TiO2 interface.

Self-Assembled via Metal–Ligand Coordination AzaBODIPY–Zinc Phthalocyanine and AzaBODIPY–Zinc Naphthalocyanine Conjugates: Synthesis, Structure, and Photoinduced Electron Transfer

Using near-IR emitting photosensitizers, viz., zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), zinc naphthalocyanine (ZnNc), and BF2-chelated azadipyrromethene (azaBODIPY), donor–acceptor conjugates have been newly formed using the well-known metal–ligand axial coordination approach. To accomplish this task, the electron-deficient azaBODIPY was functionalized to possess either two pyridine or imidazole ligating entities. The X-ray crystal structure of one such derivative revealed the presence of axial binding capable pyridine entities on the azaBODIPY macrocycle. The structural integrity of the newly formed conjugates was established from optical absorption, emission, 1H NMR, electrochemical, and computational methods. The experimentally determined binding constants suggested moderately stable conjugates. The absence of excitation energy transfer from singlet excited azaBODIPY to either ZnPc or ZnNc in the conjugates was confirmed from the steady-state emission measurements. However, free-energy calculations suggested photoi...

Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Zinc Naphthalocyanine-Naphthalenediimide Supramolecular Dyads

Photoinduced electron transfer was studied in self-assembled donor-acceptor dyads, formed by axial coordination of pyridine appended with naphthalenediimide (NDI) to zinc naphthalocyanine (ZnNc). The NDI-py:ZnNc (1) and NDI(CH(2))(2)-py:ZnNc (2) self-assembled dyads absorb light over a wide region of the UV/Vis/near infrared (NIR) spectrum. The formation constants of the dyads 1 and 2 in toluene were found to be 2.5×10(4) and 2.2×10(4) M(-1), respectively, from the steady-state absorption and emission measurements, suggesting moderately stable complex formation. Fluorescence quenching was observed upon the coordination of the pyridine-appended NDI to ZnNc in toluene. The energy-level diagram derived from electrochemical and optical data suggests that exergonic charge separation through the singlet state of ZnNc ((1)ZnNc*) provides the main quenching pathway. Clear evidence for charge separation from the singlet state of ZnNc to NDI was provided by femtosecond laser photolysis measurements of the characteristic absorption bands of the ZnNc radical cation in the NIR region at 960 nm and the NDI radical anion in the visible region. The rates of charge-separation of 1 and 2 were found to be 2.2×10(10) and 4.4×10(9) s(-1), respectively, indicating fast and efficient charge separation (CS). The rates of charge recombination (CR) and the lifetimes of the charge-separated states were found to be 8.50×10(8) s(-1) (1.2 ns) for 1 and 1.90×10(8) s(-1) (5.3 ns) for 2. These values indicate that the rates of the CS and CR processes decrease as the length of the spacer increases. Their absorption over a wide portion of the solar spectrum and the high ratio of the CS/CR rates suggests that the self-assembled NDI-py:ZnNc and NDI(CH(2))(2)-py:ZnNc dyads are useful as photosynthetic models.

Light harvesting zinc naphthalocyanine–perylenediimide supramolecular dyads: long-lived charge-separated states in nonpolar media

Photoinduced electron-transfer dynamics of self-assembled donor-acceptor dyads formed by axial coordination of zinc naphthalocyanine, ZnNc, and perylenediimide (PDI) bearing either pyridine (py) or imidazole (im) coordinating ligands were investigated. The PDIim unit was functionalized with tert-octylphenoxy groups at the bay positions, which avoid aggregation providing solubility, to examine the effect of the bulky substituents at the bay positions on the rates of electron-transfer reactions. The combination between zinc naphthalocyanine and perylenediimide entities absorbs light over a wide region of the visible and near infrared (NIR) spectrum. The binding constants of the self-assembled ZnNc:PDIpy (1) and ZnNc:PDIim (2) in toluene were found to be 2.40 × 10(4) and 1.10 × 10(5) M(-1), respectively, from the steady-state absorption and emission measurements, indicating formation of moderately stable complexes. The geometric and electronic calculations by using an ab initio B3LYP/6-311G method showed the majority of the highest occupied frontier molecular orbital (HOMO) on the zinc naphthalocyanine entity, while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) was on the perylenediimide entities, suggesting that the charge-separated states of the supramolecular dyads are ZnNc˙(+):PDI˙(-). The electrochemical results suggest the exothermic charge-separation process via the singlet states of both ZnNc and PDI entities in nonpolar toluene. Upon coordination of perylenediimide to ZnNc, the main quenching pathway involved charge separation via the singlet-excited states of ZnNc and PDIs. Clear evidence of the intramolecular electron transfer from the singlet-excited state of ZnNc to PDI within the supramolecular dyads in toluene was monitored by the femtosecond laser photolysis by observing the characteristic absorption band of the PDI radical anion (PDI˙(-)) and the ZnNc radical cation (ZnNc˙(+)) in the visible and NIR regions. The rate constants of charge-separation (k(CS)) processes of the self-assembled dyads 1 and 2 were determined to be 4.05 × 10(10) and 1.20 × 10(9) s(-1), respectively. The rate constant of charge recombination (k(CR)) and the lifetime of charge-separated states (τ(CS)) of dyad 1 were determined to be 2.34 × 10(8) s(-1) and 4.30 ns, respectively. Interestingly, a slower charge recombination (2.20 × 10(7) s(-1)) and a longer lifetime of the charge separated state (45 ns) were observed in dyad 2 in nonpolar toluene by utilizing the nanosecond transient measurements. The absorption in a wide section of the solar spectrum and the high charge-separation/charge-recombination ratio suggest the usefulness of the self-assembled zinc naphthalocyanine-perylenediimide dyads as good photosynthetic models.

Architectonics of Phage-Liposome Nanowebs as Optimized Photosensitizer Vehicles for Photodynamic Cancer Therapy

Filamentous M13 phage can be engineered to display cancer cell-targeting or tumor-homing peptides through phage display. It would be highly desirable if the tumor-targeting phage can also carry anticancer drugs to deliver them to the cancer cells. We studied the evolution of structures of the complexes between anionic filamentous M13 phage and cationic serum-stable liposomes that encapsulate the monomeric photosensitizer zinc naphthalocyanine. At specific phage-liposome ratios, multiple phage nanofibers and liposomes are interwoven into a "nanoweb." The chemical and biological properties of the phage-liposome nanoweb were evaluated for possible application in drug delivery. This study highlights the ability of phage-liposome nanowebs to serve as efficient carriers in the transport of photosensitizers to cancer cells.

Electron transfer reaction of light harvesting zinc naphthalocyanine–subphthalocyanine self-assembled dyad: spectroscopic, electrochemical, computational, and photochemical studies

Electron transfer reaction of a self-assembled donor-acceptor dyad formed by axial coordination of zinc naphthalocyanine, ZnNc, and subphthalocyanine appended with pyridine coordinating ligand, SubPc(py), was investigated in the present study. The SubPc(Py) : ZnNc self-assembled dyad absorbs the light in a wide section of the UV/Vis/NIR spectra. The formation constant of SubPc(py) : ZnNc in o-dichlorobenzene was found to be 1.2 × 10(5) M(-1) from the steady-state absorption and emission measurements, suggesting stable complex formation. The geometric and electronic calculations by using ab initio B3LYP/6-311G methods showed the majority of the highest occupied frontier molecular orbital (HOMO) on the zinc naphthalocyanine entity, while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) was on the subphthalocyanine entity, suggesting that the charge-separated state of the supramolecular complex is (SubPc(py))˙(-) : ZnNc˙(+). The electrochemical results suggest the exothermic charge-separation process via the singlet states of both SubPc(py) and ZnNc entities. Upon coordination the pyridine appended subphthalocyanine to ZnNc; the main quenching pathway involved charge separation via the singlet excited states of ZnNc and SubPc(py). A clear evidence of the intramolecular electron transfer from the singlet state of ZnNc to SubPc(py) was monitored by femtosecond laser photolysis in o-dichlorobenzene by observing the characteristic absorption band of the ZnNc radical cation in the NIR region at 960 nm. The rate of charge-separation process was found to be 1.3 × 10(10) s(-1), indicating fast and efficient charge separation. The rate of charge recombination and the lifetime of the charge-separated state were found to be 1.0 × 10(9) s(-1) and 1 ns, respectively. The absorption in a wide section of the solar spectrum and high charge-separation/charge-recombination ratio suggests the usefulness of self-assembled SubPc(Py) : ZnNc for being a photosynthetic model.

Ultrafast Singlet−Singlet Energy Transfer in Self-Assembled via Metal−Ligand Axial Coordination of Free-Base Porphyrin−Zinc Phthalocyanine and Free-Base Porphyrin−Zinc Naphthalocyanine Dyads

Singlet-singlet energy transfer in self-assembled via axial coordination of imidazole-appended (at different positions of one of the meso-phenyl entities) free-base tetraphenylporphyrin, H(2)PIm, to either zinc phthalocyanine, ZnPc, or zinc naphthalocyanine, ZnNc, dyads is investigated in noncoordinating solvents, o-dichlorobenzene and toluene, using both steady-state and time-resolved transient absorption techniques. The newly formed supramolecular dyads were fully characterized by spectroscopic, computational, and electrochemical methods. The binding constants measured from optical absorption spectral data were found to be in the range of 10(4)-10(5) M(-1) for the 1:1 dyads, suggesting fairly stable complex formation. Electrochemical and computational studies suggested that photoinduced electron transfer is a thermodynamically unfavorable process when free-base porphyrin is excited in these dyads. Selective excitation of the donor free-base porphyrin entity was possible in both types of dyads formed by either of the ZnPc or ZnNc energy acceptors. Efficient singlet-singlet energy transfer was observed in these dyads, and the position of imidazole linkage on the free-base porphyrin entity, although flexible, seems to have some control over the overall efficiency of excited energy transfer process. Kinetics of energy transfer was monitored by performing transient absorption measurements using both up-conversion and pump-probe techniques. Such studies revealed ultrafast singlet-singlet energy transfer in the studied dyads with time constants on the order of 2-25 ps depending upon the type of the dyad.