Tri- and hexaferrocenyl-substituted subphthalocyanines in the quest for the optimum electron donor–acceptor distances

Abstract

Three and six ferrocenyl subunits have been attached to the periphery of subphthalocyanines (SubPcs). Unlike axially coordinated ferrocenes, peripherally-bonded ferrocenes have an impact on the electronic features of SubPcs, which show a 44 to 70 nm red-shift of their Q-bands. The unusually deep and narrow ferrocenyl-SubPc is able to host C₆₀, giving rise to atypical SubPc•C₆₀ cocrystallates, through a combination of concave–convex and convex–convex π–π interactions.