Metal phthalocyaninates and their higher homologues are recognized as deep-red luminophores emitting from their lowest excited singlet state. Herein, we report on the design, synthesis, and in-depth characterization of a new class of dual-emissive (visible and NIR) metal naphthalocyaninates. A 4-N,N-dimethylaminophen-4-yl-substituted naphthalocyaninato zinc(II) complex (Zn-NMe2Nc) and the derived water-soluble coordination compound (Zn-NMe3Nc) exhibit a near-infrared fluorescence from the lowest ligand-centered state, along with a unique push-pull-supported luminescence in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. An unprecedentedly broad structural (2D-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry) as well as photophysical characterization (steady-state state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy) is presented. The unique dual emission was assigned to two independent sets of singlet states related to the intrinsic Q-band of the macrocycle and to the push-pull substituents in the molecular periphery, respectively, as predicted by TD-DFT calculations. In general, the elusive chemical aspects of these macrocyclic compounds are addressed, involving both reaction conditions, thorough purification, and in-depth characterization. Besides the fundamental aspects that are investigated herein, the photoacoustic properties were exemplarily examined using phantom gels to assess their tomographic imaging capabilities. Finally, the robust luminescence in the visible range arising from the push-pull character of the peripheral moieties demonstrated a notable independence from aggregation and was exemplarily implemented for optical imaging (FLIM) through time-resolved multiphoton micro(spectro)scopy.
Keywords: (TD-)DFT; dual fluorescence; multiscale–multimodal imaging; photoacoustic/optoacoustic spectroscopy; steady-state and time-resolved multiphoton micro(spectro)scopy (FLIM).