Singlet Oxygen Quantum Yields and Photostability of Planar Binuclear Phthalocyanines

The singlet oxygen ([Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] quantum yield of the near-infrared absorbing ([Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 839 nm) planar [Formula: see text]-conjugated binuclear zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) was measured and compared to the [Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] quantum yields of the mononuclear and the planar binuclear phthalocyanine without [Formula: see text]-conjugation between Pc rings. In addition, the photooxidative stability of the [Formula: see text]-conjugated binuclear Pc was determined and compared to the stabilities of the mononuclear ZnPc and the known near-infrared photosensitizer, zinc tetra-tert-butylnaphthalocyanine ([Formula: see text] 761 nm). The results are explained by DFT calculations and cyclic voltammetry.