Monomeric and Dimeric Boron (III) Subphthalocyanines Functionalized with 4-Hydroxy-Benzoic Acid as Potential Photosensitizers and Photocatalysts in Sulfoxidation.

Axial modification of boron (III) subphthalocyanine bromides with 4-hydroxy-benzoic acid successfully led to the formation of the macrocycles with anchored 4-carboxyphenoxy group [RsPcPHBA] (R= t Bu, H) in the axial position and to a new dimer [sPcPHBAsPc] as minor product. Tri-tert-butyl and unsubstituted subphthalocyanines bearing benzoate ([ t BusPcBA], [sPcBA]), phenoxy-group ([ t BusPcOPh], [sPcOPh])) in the axial position, have been also investigated as well as control sPcs. All compounds were characterized by NMR, IR, UV-Vis and mass spectrometry. The electrochemical properties were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). Singlet oxygen generation was systematically measured for all synthesized [RsPcX] by kinetic method of chemical trap decomposition (DPBF) and by determination of phosphorescence of singlet oxygen (at 1270 nm). Axially modified subphthalocyanines exhibit high quantum yields of singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) generation (0.47-0.62). The observed exceptional photostability in oxygen-saturated ethanol or toluene solutions and high 1 O 2 quantum yields allows to use [ t BusPcPHBA] as photocatalysts of selective oxidative transformations of organic sulfides to sulfoxides. Loading the catalyst to 9.7 ⋅ 10 -2  mol % made it possible to achieve complete conversion of the substrate (TON up to 1700).