Phthalocyanines (Pc) with paramagnetic or photoactive metal ions attached to their periphery might exhibit interesting magnetic or photophysical properties. Due to their large delocalised π-system Pc show strong stacking interactions and hence are very insoluble. To overcome this solubility problem Pc are substituted with bulky substituents. With the preparation of asymmetric Pc the solubility can be increased and functionality can be introduced. The molecular structure of an asymmetric zinc Pc with peripheral metal-binding sites is presented.

This work was carried out by Marco Haas and Claudia Loosli in the group of Prof. Silvio Decurtins.