Microwave-assisted synthesis and reverse saturable absorption of phthalocyanines and porphyrins

Soluble phthalocyanines, including tetrakis(2,9,16,23-cumylphenoxy) copper phthalocyanines (CuPc(β-CP)4), tetrakis(1,8,15,22-cumylphenoxy) copper phthalocyanines (CuPc(α-CP)4) as well as tetrakis(2,9,16,23-tert-butyl) copper phthalocyanines (CuPc(β-t-butyl)4), and porphyrins (5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrins; M(TBP), M=H2, Zn, Cu, Mg, InCl, AlCl) have been quickly synthesized by microwave irradiation. Furthermore, their reverse saturable absorption have also been investigated by dissolving them in solvent or incorporating them in polymer-silica hybrid material with a sol–gel process with polyvinyl butyral and tetraethyl orthosilicate as precursors. A new method for the preparation process of phthalocyanines and porphyrins in the solids has been successfully used.