The facile synthesis and characterization of tetraimido-substituted zinc phthalocyanines

Peripherally tetraimido-substituted zinc phthalocyanines were synthesized by the reaction of tetraamino-substituted zinc phthalocyanine with maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride and tetrachlorophthalic acid, respectively. The compounds were characterized by MS, 1 H NMR, UV–vis, IR and elemental analysis, the results of which were consistent with the proposed structures. UV–vis spectra showed that the wavelengths of the Q bands followed the order: Q 2c > Q 2b > Q 2a ; the strengths of the Q bands varied inversely with temperature. The compounds were stable in acid but unstable in alkali.