Synthesis and spectral evaluation of new zinc and copper unsymmetrical mesoporphyrinic complexes are reported. Zn(II)-5-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20- tris-(4-carboxymethylphenyl)porphyrin, Zn(II)-5-[(3,4-methylenedioxy)phenyl]-10,15,20- tris-(4-carboxymethylphenyl)porphyrin, Cu(II)-5-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20- tris-(4-carboxymethylphenyl)porphyrin and Cu(II)-5-[(3,4-methylenedioxy)phenyl]-10,15,20- tris-(4-carboxymethylphenyl)porphyrin were synthesized using microwave-assisted synthesis. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-Vis, EPR and NMR spectroscopy, which fully confirmed their structure. The spectral absorption properties of the porphyrinic complexes were studied in solvents with different polarities. Fluorescence emission and singlet oxygen formation quantum yields were evaluated for the compounds under study, revealing high yields for the zinc derivatives. The copper complexes are not emissive and only display residual capacity for singlet oxygen formation.
Keywords: fluorescence quantum yields; microwave-assisted synthesis; singlet oxygen; solvatochromism; unsymmetrical mesoporphyrinic complexes.