Thesis (M.Sc. (Chemistry)) - Rhodes University, 2007.

We report herewith the preparation of SnO₂ nanotubes with very good shape and size control, and with and without a carbon nanotube overlayer, The SnO₂-core/carbon-shell nanotubes are excellent reversible Li ion storage compounds combining the best features of carbon (cyclability) and SnO₂ (capacity) to deliver a high specific capacity (~540-600 mAh/g) simultaneous with good cyclability (0.0375% capacity loss per cycle). / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

Η ηλεκτροχημική ενίσχυση της κατάλυσης (EPOC ή αλλιώς μη-φαρανταïκή τροποποίηση της καταλυτικής ενεργότητας, φαινόμενο NEMCA) είναι ένα φαινόμενο όπου εφαρμογή μικρών ρευμάτων ή δυναμικών (±2V) σε ένα καταλύτη που είναι υποστηριγμένος σε ένα ηλεκτρολύτη, ιοντικό ή μικτό ιοντικό-ηλεκτρονιακό αγωγό, μπορεί να επιφέρει σημαντική τροποποίηση της καταλυτικής ενεργότητας αλλά και εκλεκτικότητας της αντίδρασης που γίνεται στην αέρια φάση, με τρόπο ελεγχόμενο, αντιστρεπτό και έως ένα βαθμό προβλέψιμο. Η ηλεκτροχημική ενίσχυση έχει βρεθεί με χρήση διαφόρων τεχνικών ότι πηγάζει από την ηλεκτροχημικά ελεγχόμενη διάχυση ενισχυτικών ιοντικών ειδών ανάμεσα στο φορέα-ηλεκτρολύτη και στα καταλυτικά σωματίδια. Το φαινόμενο έχει εφαρμοστεί σε πληθώρα καταλυτικών συστημάτων (πάνω από 70) τα τελευταία 30 χρόνια ενώ έχει πραγματοποιηθεί και επιτυχής εφαρμογή του σε πιλοτική κλίμακα χάρη στον μονολιθικό ηλεκτροχημικά ενισχυόμενο αντιδραστήρα. Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο της παρούσας διατριβής γίνεται εκτεταμένη αναφορά στους στερεούς ηλεκτρολύτες, στις ιδιότητες τους καθώς και τους τομείς στους οποίους χρησιμοποιούνται με ιδιαίτερη σημασία στη σταθεροποιημένη με οξείδιο του υττρίου ζιρκονία (YSZ), που αποτελεί ένα πολύ συχνά χρησιμοποιούμενο αγωγό ιόντων οξυγόνου. Επιπρόσθετα, εισάγονται οι έννοιες της μετανάστευσης (spillover) και της αντίστροφης μετανάστευσης (backspillover), οι οποίες χρησιμοποιούνται στην ερμηνεία και την κατανόηση του φαινομένου της ηλεκτροχημικής ενίσχυσης και των αλληλεπιδράσεων μετάλλου-φορέα (MSI). Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο γίνεται μια εισαγωγή στις αρχές του φαινομένου της Ηλεκτροχημικής Ενίσχυσης της Κατάλυσης όπου συζητούνται αρκετά παραδείγματα εφαρμογής του και γίνεται ανασκόπηση όλων των εργασιών που υπάρχουν στην βιβλιογραφία και αφορούν στο συγκεκριμένο φαινόμενο. Παρουσιάζονται επίσης, πλήθος πειραματικών τεχνικών, όπως ηλεκτροκινητικών πειραμάτων δυναμικής απόκρισης, μετρήσεων έργου εξόδου, κυκλικής βολταμμετρίας, XPS, TPD και STM, καθώς και θεωρητικών μελετών ,με στόχο την κατανόηση της αρχής του φαινομένου σε ατομικό επίπεδο. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζονται τα πειραματικά αποτελέσματα από την εφαρμογή του φαινομένου της ηλεκτροχημικής ενίσχυσης της κατάλυσης στην αντίδραση βιομηχανικής σημασίας της υδρογονοαποθείωσης (HDS). Στην παρούσα μελέτη χρησιμοποιήθηκε η πρότυπη ένωση του θειοφαινίου, χρησιμοποιώντας στερεούς ηλεκτρολύτες αγωγούς πρωτονίων σε συνδυασμό με σύγχρονους στηριγμένους καταλύτες, όπως για παράδειγμα RuS2, MoS2, ή FeSx και MoS2-CoS2 καθώς και μη-στηριγμένους όπως ο Nebula (NiMoW). Η μελέτη επικεντρώθηκε στην επίτευξη ηλεκτροχημικής ενίσχυσης στην HDS του θειοφαινίου υπό συνθήκες ατμοσφαιρικής πίεσης στο θερμοκρασιακό εύρος 250οC-550οC ανάλογα με το στερεό ηλεκτρολύτη (BCN18, CZI ή YSZ). Ηλεκτροχημική Ενίσχυση επιτεύχθηκε σε συνολικά 10 καταλυτικά ηλεκτρόδια. Στην περίπτωση χρήσης πρωτονιακών αγωγών, τιμές προσαύξησης ρυθμού έως 20% και φαρανταϊκής απόδοσης έως ~600 καταγράφησαν, αναδεικνύοντας την ισχυρά μη-φαρανταϊκή συμπεριφορά και το υψηλό ενεργειακό όφελος σε Τ<300oC. Στην περίπτωση των αγωγών ιόντων οξυγόνου (YSZ) προσαύξηση ρυθμού έως και 300% καταγράφηκε με τιμές φαρανταϊκής απόδοσης έως και 0.2 στους 500oC. / Electrochemical Promotion of Catalysis (EPOC or Non-Faradaic Electrochemical Modification of Catalytic Activity, NEMCA effect) is a phenomenon where the application of small currents or potentials (±1V) between a catalyst electrode, which is in contact with a solid electrolyte support, and a counter or reference electrode, causes a significant change in catalytic activity in a predictable, reversible and to some extend controllable manner. As hve been shown by numerous surface science and electrochemical techniques, electrochemical promotion is due to electrochemically controlled migration (backspillover) of promoting or poisoning ionic species between the ionic or mixed ionic-electronic conductor support and the gas exposed catalytic surface. Τhe phenomenon has been studied extensively in a variety of catalytic systems (>70) during the last 30 years, while it has been successfully applied in a pilot scale reactor, the monolithic electrochemically promoted reactor (MEPR) in environmental important reactions. In the first chapter, an extended analysis is given of the properties of solid electrolytes, and focused on the yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Moreover, the concepts of spillover and backspillover, which are used to describe the phenomenon of electrochemical promotion and the metal-support interactions, are discussed in detail. In the second chapter, the fundamentals of Electrochemical Promotion of Catalysis are discussed in the basis of classical promotion, reaction kinetics and the rules of Electrochemical Promotion of Catalysis. In the last chapter, the effect of the electrochemical promotion of catalysis on the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reaction of sulfur containing model compounds (thiophene) has been investigated, using proton conducting solid electrolytes and state-of-the-art catalysts, e.g. RuS2, MoS2, MoS2-CoS2 and the unsupported state-of-the-art catalyst Nebula (NiMoW). In this study only thiophene, has been used under atmospheric pressure in the temperature range of 250 οC -550οC, depending on the electrolyte (BCN18, CZI or YSZ). Significant Electrochemical Promotion was achieved at 10 different CoMo based catalyst-electrodes. In the case of proton conductors, values of rate enhancement values up to 20% and faradaic efficiency values up to ~600 were achieved, denoting the strongly nonfaradaic behavior and high energy efficiency at T<300oC. In the case of oxygen ion conductors (YSZ) an increase of 300% on the catalytic rate and a faradaic efficiency value of 0.2 was recorded at 500oC. The results show the strong potential of Electrochemical Promotion of Catalysis effect on improving the efficiency of industrial and/or environmental processes with only minimal energy supply.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a new class of antidepressants used mainly for the treatment of depression and other forms of related disorders. There are a number of side effects associated with these drugs which include loss of weight, sexual dysfunction, nervousness and nausea. A fast and reliable detection method such as biosensing for the determination of the SSRIs metabolic profile is therefore essential for the appropriate dosing of these drugs. Biosensors for the determination of the SSRIs biotransformation were prepared with cytochrome P450 (2D6) isoenzyme and poly (anilinonapthalene sulfonic acid) film electrochemically deposited on gold. / South Africa

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-04-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:02:31Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 godoi_drm_dr_araiq_prot.pdf: 3455751 bytes, checksum: 7f41251a52df80f90667ad35cc7086b2 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Neste trabalho, as reações de oxidação de metanol e etanol foram estudadas respectivamente sobre nanocatalisadores de Pt-Ru e Pt-Sn suportados em carbono. Os estudos para cada sistema foram realizados com aproximadamente o mesmo tamanho de partícula e mesma composição total e diferentes quantidades das fases liga e óxido. Catalisadores Pt-Sn com diferentes composições também foram estudados. Os catalisadores foram preparados pelos métodos de microemulsão e poliol modificado e as quantidades das fases liga e óxido foram modificadas por tratamentos térmicos em diferentes atmosferas. O crescimento das partículas foi evitado utilizando-se condições brandas de temperatura, de modo que este estudo foi conduzido na ausência dos efeitos de tamanho de partícula. A caracterização das propriedades físicas foi realizada por difração de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitados por raios X (XPS) e espectroscopia de absorção de raios X dispersivos (DXAS) in situ. O comportamento eletroquímico geral dos nanocatalisadores foi avaliado por voltametria cíclica em solução ácida e as atividades eletrocatalíticas frente às reações de oxidação de metanol e etanol foram estudadas por varredura linear de potencial e cronoamperometria. Cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC) foi utilizada para analisar quantitativamente os produtos de oxidação do metanol sobre os catalisadores Pt-Ru. Os resultados obtidos com os catalisadores Pt-Ru mostram claramente que a presença de espécies oxidadas de Ru é necessária para melhorar a atividade eletrocatalítica frente à oxidação de metanol. A oxidação de CO adsorvido também foi estudada, sendo que ambas as reações mostraram-se bastante... / In this work, methanol and ethanol oxidation were studied on carbon-supported Pt-Ru and Pt- Sn nanocatalysts respectively. For each system, the studies were carried out with nearly the same particle size and identical overall composition, and different amounts of oxide and alloyed phases. For some Pt-Sn catalysts, overall composition was also varied. The catalysts were synthetized by microemulsion and modified poliol methods, and the amounts of alloyed and oxide phases were modified by heat treatments in different atmospheres. Because particle growth was avoided using mild temperature conditions, the study reported here was conducted in the absence of particle size effects. Characterization of physical properties was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and in situ dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy (DXAS). The general electrochemical behavior of the nanocatalysts was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry in acidic solution, and the electrocatalytic activities for the oxidation of methanol and ethanol were studied by linear potential sweeps and chronoamperometry. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to assess the yields of soluble products of methanol oxidation on the Pt-Ru catalysts. The results obtained for the Pt-Ru catalysts clearly evidence that the presence of oxide species is necessary to enhance the electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation. Oxidation of adsorbed CO was also measured. Both reactions, methanol and adsorbed CO oxidation, were found to be very sensitive to the surface changes produced by the heat treatments. Interestingly, the best catalyst for methanol oxidation was not found to be the most efficient for the... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-02-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:21:29Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 cruz_fmdl_dr_araiq.pdf: 2032545 bytes, checksum: 087ca98fd4402db35bf9d5a7c0b3e0ee (MD5) / Este trabalho descreve a preparação e utilização de revestimento híbrido composto por TEOS (tetraethoxysilane), MPTS (3-Methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane) e MMA (methil methacrylate) depositados sobre chapas de aço estanhado como proteção temporária à corrosão. A utilização de aço estanhado em latas de conservas alimentícias teve seu inicio no século XVIII, porém se tornou popular após a Guerra Civil Norte Americana, 1861 – 1865. Esse material quando em contado direto com a solução de conserva pode se deteriorar gerando produtos que contaminam o alimento diminuindo sua validade. Diante desse fato camadas de verniz do tipo epóxi são comercialmente aplicadas no interior das embalagens para impedir sua corrosão. Outra forma de proteção temporária seria a utilização dos revestimentos híbridos que além de aumentarem resistência a corrosão podem ser utilizados em conjunto com verniz e tintas, funcíonando como um pré tratamento da superfície. Preparou-se revestimentos híbridos com a adição de inibidores de corrosão nas concentrações de 300, 500, 700 e 900 ppm do íon Ce(III) ou Ce(IV). Avaliou-se a influência do iniciador de polimerização, peróxido de benzoila, quando adicíonado em conjunto com os íons, do número de imersões e da velocidade de retirada do substrato da solução do híbrido. Como caracterização utilizou-se medidas de impedância eletroquímica (EIS), de potencial de circuito aberto (OCP), curvas de polarização, microscopias: eletrônica de varredura (SEM), de forcas atômicas (AFM) e emissão ótica de descarga luminescente (GDOES) e espectroscopia vibracíonal de absorção na região do infravermelho (IV). Através do conjunto de caracterizações utilizadas concluiu-se que a presença do BPO no sol dos revestimentos é importante uma vez que os revestimentos formados nessa condição foram mais protetores e mostraram... / This work describes the preparatíon and use of hybrid coatings comprising TEOS (Tetraethoxysilane), MPTS (3-Methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane) and MMA (Methil methacrylate) deposited on Sn-coated steel plates as temporary protectíon against corrosíon. The use of Sn-coated steel in canned food began in the 18th century; however it became more popular after the American Civil War, 1861-1865. This material when in direct contact with the solutíon of preserving foods may deteriorate generating corrosíon products that contaminate the food and consequently decrease its validity. In light of this fact, varnish coatings of epoxy-type are commercially applied inside the packages to prevent corrosíon. Another way of temporary protectíon is the use of hybrid coatings that increase the corrosíon resistance and may be utilized in conjunctíon with paint and varnish, acting as a surface pretreatment. In this context, hybrid coatings were prepared with the additíon of corrosíon inhibitors using concentratíons of 300, 500, 700 and 900 ppm Ce(III) or Ce(IV) íons. Also, the influence of a polymerizatíon initiator, benzoyl peroxide when added together with the íons, the number of immersíons, and the withdraw rate of the substrate the hybrid solutíon was evaluated. The electrochemical and physical characterizatíon of coatings were performed using the following techniques: electrochemical impedance measurements (EIS), open circuit potential measurements (OCP), polarizatíon curves, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and glow discharge optical emissíon spectroscopy (GDOES). In general, the characterizatíon results showed that the presence of BPO in the sol plays an important role since in this conditíon the coatings formed were more protective and showed the Ce(III) íons acting only as inhibitors... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

This thesis explored use of metallophthalocyanines as electrocatalysts towards thiol and thiocyanate oxidation, nitrosothiol decomposition and reduction of oxygen, as well as biomimetic and photo-catalysts of cyclohexene oxidation. 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), L-cysteine (CYS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) thiols were oxidized on cobalt tetra ethoxythiophene and cobalt tetra phenoxy pyrrole phthalocyanine modified glassy carbon electrodes, whose catalytic activity was found to depend on pH, film thickness and method of electrode modification. Oxidation of thiocyanate (SCN-), CYS and 2-ME was catalyzed by a selfassembled monolayer of cobalt tetraethoxythiophene Thiocyanate oxidation occurred via two electron transfer, whereas that of CYS and 2-ME required 1 electron. The oxidations of SCN- and 2-ME were catalyzed by ring based processes, while CYS was catalyzed by both Co[superscript III]/Co[superscript II] process and ring-based processes. Oxidation of GSH and 2-ME was conducted on screen printed graphite electrodes modified with cobalt phthalocyanine. Activity depended on method of electrode modification and CoPc % composition. Decomposition of Snitrosoglutathione occurred in the presence of copper ions and NaBH[subscript 4]. Reduced and oxidized glutathione were detected as products using cobalt phthalocyanine adsorbed on an ordinary pyrolytic graphite electrode. Reduction of oxygen was electro-catalyzed by adsorbed manganese phthalocyanine complexes on glassy carbon electrodes. FePc, FePc(Cl)[subscript 16], CoPc and CoPc substituted with phenoxypyrrole and ethoxythiophene ligands were also used as electro-catalysts. Oxygen reduction occurred via two electron transfer in acidic and neutral media forming hydrogen peroxide, while water was formed in basic media via four electron transfer. Cyclohexene oxidation using tert-butylhydroperoxide or chloroperoxy benzoic acid as oxidants in the presence of FePc, FePc(Cl)[subscript 16] and CoPc formed cyclohexene oxide, 2-cyclohexen-1-ol, 2- cyclohexen-1-one and adipic acid. Product selectivity depended on the nature of catalyst and oxidant. The FePc(Cl)[subscript 16] catalyst was transformed into a µ-oxo dimer during the oxidation process while M[superscript III]Pc intermediates were formed with Co[superscript II]Pc and Fe[superscript II]Pc catalysts. Cyclohexene photooxidation catalyzed by zinc phthalocyanine using either red or white light formed 2-cyclohexen-1-one, 2-cyclohexen-1-ol, transcyclohexane diol, cyclohexene oxide and cyclohexene hydroperoxide via singlet oxygen and radical mechanisms. Product yields depended on the light wavelength and intensity, solvent, irradiation time and the rate of photodegradation of the catalyst.

Photodegradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-Np) in the presence of water-soluble zinc phthalocyanines and water-insoluble metallophthalocyanines is reported. The water-soluble phthalocyanines employed include zinc tetrasulphophthalocyanine (ZnPcS[subscript 4]), zinc octacarboxyphthalocyanine (ZnPc(COOH)[subscript 8]) and a sulphonated ZnPc containing a mixture of differently sulphonated derivatives (ZnPcS[subscript mix]), while the water-insoluble phthalocyanines used include unsubstituted magnesium (MgPc), zinc (ZnPc) and chloroaluminium (ClAlPc) phthalocyanine complexes and the ring-substituted zinc tetranitro (ZnPc(NO[subscript 2])[subscript 4]), zinc tetraamino (ZnPc(NH[subscript 2])[subscript 4]), zinc hexadecafluoro (ZnPcF[subscript 16]) and zinc hexadecachloro (ZnPcCl[subscript 16]) phthalocyanines. The most effective water-soluble photocatalyst is ZnPcS[subscript mix] in terms of the high quantum yield obtained for 4-Np degradation (Φ[subscript 4-Np]) as well as its photostability. While ZnPc(COOH)[subscript 8] has the highest Φ[subscript 4-Np] value relative to the other water-soluble complexes, it degrades readily during photocatalysis. The Φ[subscript 4-Np] values were closely related to the singlet oxygen quantum yields Φ[subscript Δ] and hence aggregation. The rate constants for the reaction with 4-Np were kr = 0.67 x 10[superscript 6] mol[superscript -1] dm[superscript 3] s[superscript -1] for ZnPcS[subscript mix] and 7.7 x 10[superscript 6] mol[superscript -1] dm[superscript 3] s[superscript -1] for ZnPc(COOH)[subscript 8]. ClAlPc is the most effective photocatalyst relative to the other heterogeneous photocatalysts for the phototransformation of 4-Np, with 89 ± 8.4 % degradation of 4-Np achieved after 100 min. The least effective catalysts were ZnPcCl[subscript 16] and MgPc. The final products of the photocatalysis of 4-Np in the presence of the homogeneous photocatalysts include 4-nitrocatechol and hydroquinone, while degradation of 4-Np in the presence of the heterogeneous photocatalysts resulted in fumaric acid and 4-nitrocatechol. ClAlPc was employed for the heterogeneous photocatalysis of the non-systemic insecticide, methyl paraoxon. Complete degradation of the pesticide was confirmed by the disappearance of the HPLC trace for methyl paraoxon after 100 min of irradiation with visible light. The removal of 4-Np from an aqueous medium using commercially available Amberlite[superscript ®] IRA-900 modified with metal phthalocyanines was also investigated. The metallophthalocyanines immobilised onto the surface of Amberlite[superscript ®] IRA-900 include Fe (FePcS[subscript 4]), Co (CoPcS[subscript 4]) and Ni (NiPcS[subscript 4]) tetrasulphophthalocyanines, and differently sulphonated phthalocyanine mixtures of Fe (FePcS[subscript mix]), Co (CoPcS[subscript mix]) and Ni (NiPcS[subscript mix]). Adsorption rates were fastest for the modified adsorbents at pH 9. Using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model, the complexes showed the following order of 4-Np adsorption: CoPcS[subscript mix] > NiPcS[subscript 4] > NiPcS[subscript mix] > FePcS[subscript 4] > FePcS[subscript mix] > CoPcS[subscript 4]. The adsorbents were regenerated using dilute HNO[subscript 3], with 76 % (7.6 x 10[superscript -5] mol) of 4-Np recovered within 150 min.

Photochemical properties of sulphonated phthalocyanine complexes of aluminium, zinc, tin and silicon, and octa-carboxyphthalocyanine complexes of aluminium and zinc have been investigated. These water-soluble metallophthalocyanine (MPc) complexes, especially the sulphonated aluminium and zinc phthalocyanines, were found to be good photosensitisers for the transformation of the toxic mono-, tri- and penta-chlorophenols in aqueous solutions. The efficiency of MPc sensitiser towards photo-transformation of chlorophenols depends on its effectiveness to generate singlet oxygen as well as its photostability. Octa-substituted thiol-derivatised phthalocyanine complexes of cobalt, iron and zinc were synthesized and their spectral and electrochemical properties investigated. The photochemical properties ofthe zinc phthalocyanine complexes in non-aqueous solutions were comparable to those in literature. Ultrathin films of the octasubstituted thiol-derivatised phthalocyanine complexes of cobalt, iron and zinc were, for the first time, immobilized onto gold electrodes using the self-assembling technique. Surface electrochemistry indicates that the ultrathin films are surface-confined self-assembled monolayer (SAM) species. Gold electrodes modified with the redox-active SAMs of cobalt and iron phthalocyanine complexes proved to be potential electrochemical sensors for the detection of thiols (L-cysteine, homocysteine and penicillamine) and thiocyanate in aqueous solutions (pH 4). The limits of detection for the thiols and thiocyanate were in the range of ∼ 10⁻⁷ and 10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³, respectively. The modification process was reproducible and the modified electrodes showed good stability and, if stored in pH 4 buffer solutions, could be used for the analysis of thiols and thiocyanate for about a month without the need for recalibration. Etching of gold marred electrochemical detection of cyanide with the MPc-SAM-modified gold electrodes. Interestingly, however, kinetic and equilibria studies revealed strong interaction of octabutylthiophthalocyaninatoiron (II), FeOBTPc, with cyanide in both DMF and DMSO solutions.

Photocatalytic reactions of tin diphthalocyanine, Sn ^IVPc₂ and anionic form of Nd^III, Dy^III, Eu^III, Tm^III and Lu^III diphthalocyanine complexes ( [Pc(-2)Nd^IIIpc(-2)]⁻ , [Pc(-2)Dy^IIIPc(-2)]⁻ , [Pc(-2)Eu^IIIPc(-2)⁻, [Pc(-2)Tm^IIlPc(-2)r and [Pc(-2)LuIIIpc(-2)]⁻ respectively) in the presence of CH₂CI₂, S0₂, pentachlorophenol (PCP), 4-chlorophenol (4-Cp) and thionyl chloride have been studied. Photoreactions involving lanthanide diphthalocyanines, filtered and unfiltered radiations were employed, whereas for photoreactions involving tin diphthalocyanine, only unfiltered radiation was employed. For lanthanide diphthalocyanine complexes, LnPce-, the photosensitization power increases with the decrease of the lanthanide ionic radii, implying that the photocatalytic activity of LnPc₂⁻ complexes is associated with the π-π interaction between both phthalocyanine rings. Thus, LuPc₂⁻ is a better photocatalyst than other lanthanide diphthalocyanine complexes. Photolysis ofSnPc₂ in an acetonitrile/dichloromethane solvent mixture, using unfiltered radiation from a tungsten lamp, results in the one-electron oxidation of this species to [Pc( -2 )Sn(IV)Pc(-1)]⁻. The relative quantum yields for the disappearance of SnPc₂ are in the order of 10⁻¹. The photoreaction of SnPc₂ is preceded by excitation to nπ* excited states, before been ,quenched by CH₂CI₂. The one-electron oxidation species, [Pc(-2)Sn(lV)pc(-1)]⁻ was also formed during the photolysis of SnPc₂ in dichloromethane containing S0₂, and with quantum yields of order of 10⁻³. Visible photolysis of [Pc( -2)Nd^IIIpc(-2)]⁻, [Pc(-2)Dy^IIIPc(-2)]⁻ and [Pc(-2)Lu^IIIpc(-2)]⁻ in N,N. dimethylformamide (DMF)/dichloromethane solvent mixture containing SO₂, results in the formation of the one-electron oxidation species, Pc(-2 )Nd^IIIpc(-1), Pc( -2) Dyi^IIIPc(-1) and Pc(-2)Lu^IIIpc(-1), respectively. The relative quantum yields are in the order of 10². The photoreactions are preceded by population of the excited triplet state,³π-π* [ LnPc₂]⁻ complex, before exchanging an electron with S0₂. The one-electron oxidation species of Dy^III and Lu^III diphthalocyanine complexes have also been formed from visible photolysis of [Pc(-2 )Dy^IIIPc(-2)]⁻and [Pc(-2)Lu^IIIpc(-2)]⁻in acetonitrile containing PCP. The PCP is reductively dechlorinated to tetra- and trichlorophenols. The quantum yields for the photosensitization reactions are in the order of 1 0⁻. Photolysis, using visible radiation from 220 W Quartzline lamp, of an aqueous solution of 4-Cp, saturated with oxygen and containing a suspension of solid [Pc(-2)Nd^IIIpc(-2)]⁻, results in the formation of benzoquinone, hydro quinone and 4-chlorocatechol. The quantum yields for the degradation of 4-Cp are in the order of 10⁻. Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model shows the adsorption of 4-chlorophenol onto solid [Pc(-2)Nd^IIIpc(-2)]⁻. Lanthanide diphthalocyanine complexes ([Pc-2)Nd^IIIpc(-2)]⁻. [Pc(-2)Eu^IIIpc(-2)]⁻, (Pc(-2)Tm^IIIpc( -2)]⁻ and (Pc(-2)Lu^IIIpc(-2)]⁻) undergo one or two-electron oxidation in the presence of thionyl chloride. At low concentrations of SOCI₂(<10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³) the visible yhotolysis of [Pc(-2 )LnPc(-2)]⁻ complexes result in the one-electron oxidation, giving neutral lanthanide diphthalocyanine species, Pc(-2)Ln^IIIpc(-1). The Pc(-2 )LnPc(-I) species undergoes one-electron photooxidation to [Pc(-I )LnPc( -I)]⁻ in dichloromethane and in the presence of SOC₁₂. At large concentrations of SOC₁₂ (>10⁻² mol dm⁻³), direct two-electron oxidation of the (Pc(-2 )LnPc - 2)]⁻ species to (Pc(-1)LnPc(-1)]⁻ occurs. Spectroelectrochemical behaviours of Sn^IVPc₂ have been also studied. The cyclic voltammetry ofSnPc₂ in CH₂CI₂/TBAP show two reduction couples at -0.56 V and -0.89 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE) and one oxidation couple at 0.35 V versus SCE. In DMFITEAP system, the reduction couples are observed at -0.44 V and -0.81 V versus SCE whereas the oxidation couple occurred at 0.43 V versus SCE. The oxidation couple corresponds to [Pc(-2 )Sn^IVPc(-2 )]/[Pc(-2)Sn^IVPc( -I)] . and the reduction couples to [Pc(-2)Sn^IVPc( -2 )]/[Pc(-2 )Sn^IVPc( -3 )]⁻ and [Pc(-2)Snl^IVPc( -3)] ⁻/[Pc(-3 )Sn^IVPc(-3)]²⁻, respectively. The electronic absorption spectra of these reduced and oxidized species are reported.