Synthesis of nitroxide-functionalized phthalocyanines

A nitroxide-functionalized phthalonitrile and a diimino-isoindoline were prepared via Pd(0)-catalyzed cyanation from the corresponding dibromide and subsequent addition of ammonia, without interference from the radical moieties. The structures of these radicals were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structure determinations. Metal-templated macrocyclization of these species under standard Linstead conditions or in 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol at reflux gave the corresponding metallated and free-base phthalocyanines, which were characterized using UV–vis, FTIR and EPR spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry.