A simple synthesis of symmetric phthalocyanines and their respective perfluoro and transition-metal complexes

We report a simple synthesis protocol for making phthalocyanines (Pcs) starting from phthalonitriles. This method is general and requires no specialised equipment. The complexes are isolated and characterised using X‐ray diffraction, NMR, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. First, we study and present a one‐step synthesis route to a metal‐free Pc (H2PcH16), as well as to the corresponding MPcH16 complexes of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn. Then, we show that this route can also be used to make the fluorinated Pc analogues (MPcF16). Finally, we present a new and useful procedure for inserting a metal ion into a metal‐free H2PcH16 ring, by direct metalation, yielding the corresponding MPcH16 complex. This last method is especially useful if you want to make different MPcH16 complexes

Access to a primary aminosporopollenin solid support from plant spores

Sporopollenin, which is a naturally occurring and highly resilient organic polymer constituting the external shell of spores and pollen grains, has been converted into a primary amine form with a loading of 0.58 +/- 0.04 mmol. g(-1) by reductive amination with ammonia and lithium aluminium hydride successively. The presence of the amine and precursor amide groups were established by combustion elemental analysis, ICP-OES, FTIR, solid-state NMR and reactivity of the primary amine group to salt formation and nucleophilic addition and substitution with phenyl isothiocyanate and benzene sulfonyl chloride, respectively. This relatively simple conversion has served to provide further information regarding the presence and reactivity of carboxylic acid functions on this relatively uncharted polymer and offers aminosporopollenin as a new material for potential solid-phase applications