Pegylated phthalocyanines: synthesis and spectroscopic properties

The syntheses and spectroscopic properties of a series of pegylated zinc(II)-phthalocyanines (Zn-Pcs) containing one, two, or eight tri(ethylene glycol) chains are described. The single molecular structure of a phthalonitrile precursor containing one hydroxyl and one PEG group, and its unique intermolecular hydrogen bonding are presented. The pegylated Pcs are highly soluble in polar organic solvents and have fluorescence quantum yields in the range 0.08–0.28.