Acid–base and coordination properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meso</Emphasis>-substituted porphyrins in nonaqueous solutions

Acid–base and coordination properties of alkyl and aryl meso-substituted porphyrins are studied spectrophotometrically in nonaqueous solutions. It is found that the nature of the substituent greatly affects the basicity of ligands for porphyrins characterized by a flat structure of macrocycle. The electronic effects of substituents have a much weaker influence on the kinetics of complexing. These effects could be due to the opposite orientation of some factors: an increase in the basicity and stability of the N–H bonds of porphyrin reaction centers. Dissociation constants pK _b of the cationic forms of meso-substituted derivatives of porphyrin are measured. The values of pK _b are in good agreement with classic concepts of the nature of substituents, particularly those indirectly included in the macrocycle through phenyl buffer rings.     

(5‐tert‐Butylporphyrinato)copper(II), a nonplanar porphyrin with only one sterically demanding meso residue

The title compound, [Cu(C₂₄H₂₀N₄)], is a rare example of a porphyrin carrying only one substituent. Its crystal structure exhibits two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The bulky meso tert‐butyl residue gives rise to a nonplanar macrocycle with significant ruf and sad distortions. As a result of the position of the substituent, the conformational effects are unsymmetric and to a significant extent localized in the affected quadrant of the macrocycle. In line with results for highly substituted nonplanar porphyrins, comparison with a free base and a nickel(II) complex shows that the conformation of the macrocycle is modulated via additional metal effects.     

Structural investigation of 5,10‐A2B2‐type porphyrins: palladium(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 5,10‐dibromo‐15,20‐bis(4‐methylphenyl)porphyrin

The analysis of [5,10‐dibromo‐15,20‐bis(4‐methylphenyl)porphyrinato]palladium(II), [Pd(C₃₄H₂₂Br₂N₄)], and [5,10‐dibromo‐15,20‐bis(4‐methylphenyl)porphyrinato](methanol)zinc(II), [Zn(C₃₄H₂₂Br₂N₄)(CH₄O)], reveals a small but localized influence of the bromine residues on the conformation of the macrocycle. A comparison of the 5,10‐dibromo substituent pattern with literature data for 5,15‐dibromoporphyrins shows similar in‐plane distortions in both but a different mix of out‐of‐plane distortion modes for the different regiochemical arrangements.     

Synthesis and properties of BF2- & PO2-complexes of mono meso-heterocycle substituted 25-oxasmaragdyrins and derivatives

BF₂- and PO₂-smaragdyrins containing one five membered heterocycle such as pyrrole, thiophene and furan at one of the meso-position of corresponding 25-oxasmaragdyrins were synthesized by treating the appropriate mono meso-heterocycle substituted 25-oxasmaragdyrin with BF₃.OEt₂ and POCl₃ respectively in CH₂Cl₂ under mild reaction conditions. All macrocycles were thoroughly characterized by HR-MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The presence of a five membered heterocycle in place of a six membered aryl group significantly alters the electronic properties of the smaragdyrin macrocycle as reflected in their spectral and electrochemical properties. The meso-pyrrole BF₂-smaragdyrin was subjected to a Vilsmeier-Haack reaction to prepare meso-(α-formyl pyrrolyl) BF₂-smaragdyrin which was subsequently used to prepare meso-(α-dipyrromethanyl pyrrolyl) BF₂-smaragdyrin. The further use of meso-heterocycle substituted BF₂- and PO₂-oxasmaragdyrins was demonstrated by treating meso-pyrrolyl BF₂-smaragdyrin with pentafluorobenzaldehyde in CHCl₃ under mild acid catalysed conditions to afford an unusual dipyrromethanyl bridged BF₂-smaragdyrin dyad which exhibits excellent photophysical properties.     

Complexation of Zn Arylporphyrinates with Leucine Methyl Ester

Extra coordination of L-leucine methyl ester with seventeen different Zn arylporphyrinates is studied by spectrophotometric titration and capability of Zn porphyrinates with the active OH groups to recognize LeiOCH₃ in toluene at 20°C is determined. The formation of associates of the composition amino acid ether–porphyrinate depending on the substituent positions in a macrocycle is studied by the ¹H NMR method. The most strong donor–acceptor bonds between Zn porphyrinate and LeiOCH₃ are observed in the case of pyridine-substituted porphyrins and porphyrins with phenyl rings containing electron-donor substituents in the m-position. The best recognizing capabilities with respect to leucine are shown by Zn porphyrinates with di- and tetra-4-OH-phenyl substitution in the meso-positions of a macrocycle.     

Synthesis and Metalation of Doubly o‐Phenylene‐Bridged Cyclic Bis(dipyrrin)s with Highly Bent Skeleton of Dibenzoporphyrin(2.1.2.1)

Facile synthesis of dibenzoporphyrins(2.1.2.1) has been successfully reported by the simple condensation reaction of o‐dipyrrolylbenzene with various aldehydes in the presence of a Lewis acid. This reaction enables the preparation of various dibenzoporphyrin(2.1.2.1) derivatives with p‐substituted phenyl groups, five‐membered heterocycles, and ethynyl groups at the meso‐positions. Dibenzoporphyrins(2.1.2.1) consist of two dipyrrin units that are connected by o‐phenylene bridges, which adopt highly bent saddle‐shaped structures; this was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. We found that dibenzoporphyrin(2.1.2.1) can be described as a 20π antiaromatic conjugated system, but practically, it is not an antiaromatic macrocycle, which we revealed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The redox potentials had good correlations with Hammett substituent constant (σ_p) of the substituents at the meso‐positions. The free‐base dibenzoporphyrin(2.1.2.1) was able to form the metal complexes with nickel(II), copper(II), palladium(II), platinum(II), and tin(IV) ions. These results suggested that dibenzoporphyrin(2.1.2.1) derivatives can be utilized as novel macrocyclic dianionic tetradentate ligands for various metal ions to give complexes with varying optical and electrochemical properties.     

Syntheses of octasubstituted zinc azaphthalocyanines with thiophene or thiophene combined with sulfanyl,amino or imido substituents: Influence of the substituents on photochemical and photophysical properties

Several octasubstituted zinc azaphthalocyanines (ZnAzaPcs) of the tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine type have been synthesized as potential sensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Octasubstituted complexes, with thiophen-2-yl, thiophen-3-yl or benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl peripheral groups, were synthesized and characterized. Octa(thiophen-2-yl) ZnAzaPc is a better singlet oxygen producer and has a red shifted UV absorption Q-band compared to both thiophen-3-yl and benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl substituted ZnAzaPcs. Thus, the thiophen-2-yl substituent is better suited for our purpose. Unsymmetrically substituted ZnAzaPcs were synthesized by cyclotetramerisations of pyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitriles attached to one thiophen-2-yl group and one alkylsulfanyl, thiomorpholinyl or imide group. Constitutional isomers were detected by NMR spectroscopy for some of these complexes. Compared to unsubstituted ZnAzaPc, red shifted Q-bands were observed for all these complexes, due to the presence of thiophen-2-yl groups. The least promising complexes are ZnAzaPcs with thiomorpholine or imide peripheral substituents, i.e. where the peripheral substituents are attached to the macrocycle through nitrogen atoms. Low singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ) and also low fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_F) were observed for these ZnAzaPcs. In the case of combined thiophen-2-yl and alkylsulfanyl substituents, the values of Φ_Δ were the highest and reached values of approximately 0.69.     

Sterically Crowded Trianglimines—Synthesis,Structure, Solid‐State Self‐Assembly,and Unexpected Chiroptical Properties

The chiral, triangular‐shape hexaimine macrocycles (trianglimines), bearing bulky alkynyl or aryl substituents were synthesized and studied by means of experimental and theoretical methods. The macrocyclization reactions are driven by the extraordinary stability of the trianglimine ring and provided products with high yields. Electrostatic repulsion between imine nitrogen atoms and the substituents forced an anti conformation of the aromatic linkers. Although the DFT‐optimized structure of 7 is D₃ symmetrical, in the crystal, the macrocycle adopts a bowl‐like molecular shape. The macrocycle self‐assembles into tail‐to‐tail dimers by mutual interdigitation of aromatic moieties. In contrast, macrocycle 8 adopts a rigid pillararene‐like conformation. The nature of the substituent significantly affects the electronic properties of the linker. As a result, unexpectedly high exciton Cotton effects are observed in the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The origin of these effects was subject of an in‐depth study.     

Probing the Rotational Dynamics of meso‐(2‐Substituted)aryl Substituents in A2B‐Type Subporphyrins

A₂B‐type B‐methoxy subporphyrins 3 a – g and B‐phenyl subporphyrins 7 a – c , e , g bearing meso‐(2‐substituted)aryl substituents are synthesized, and their rotational dynamics are examined through variable‐temperature (VT) ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In these subporphyrins, the rotation of meso‐aryl substituents is hindered by a rationally installed 2‐substituent. The rotational barriers determined are considerably smaller than those reported previously for porphyrins. Comparison of the rotation activation parameters reveals a variable contribution of ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ in ΔG^≠. 2‐Methyl and 2‐ethyl groups of the meso‐aryl substituents in subporphyrins 3 e , 3 f , and 7 e induce larger rotational barriers than 2‐alkoxyl substituents. The rotational barriers of 3 g and 7 g are reduced by the presence of the 4‐dibenzylamino group owing to its ability to stabilize the coplanar rotation transition state electronically. The smaller rotational barriers found for B‐phenyl subporphyrins than for B‐methoxy subporphyrins indicate a negligible contribution of S_N1‐type heterolysis in the rotation of meso‐aryl substituents.     

Topology Switching in [32]Heptaphyrins Controlled by Solvent,Protonation, and meso Substituents

The switching of topology between “figure‐eight”, Möbius, and untwisted conformations in [32]heptaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1.1) has been investigated by using density functional theory calculations. Such a change is achieved by variation of one internal dihedral angle and, if properly controlled, can provide access to molecular switches with unique optical and magnetic properties. In this work, we have explored different conformational control methods, such as solvent, protonation and meso substituents. Despite its antiaromatic character, most of the [32]heptaphyrins (R=H, CH₃, CF₃, Ph, C₆F₅) adopt a figure‐eight conformation in the neutral state, owing to their more‐effective hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The aromatic Möbius topology is only preferred with dichlorophenyl groups, which minimize the steric hindrance that arises from the bulky chlorine atoms. The conformational equilibrium is sensitive to the solvent, so polar solvents, such as DMSO, further stabilize the Möbius conformation. Protonation induces a conformational change into the Möbius topology, irrespective of the meso‐aryl groups. In the triprotonated species, the conformational switch is blocked and a non‐twisted conformer becomes much more stable than the figure‐eight conformation. We have shown that the relative energies of the protonated [32]heptaphyrins are dominated by aromaticity. Importantly, this topology switching induces a dramatic change in the magnetic properties and reactivity of the macrocycles, as revealed by several energetic, magnetic, structural, and reactivity indices of aromaticity.     

Controlled porphyrinogen oxidation for the selective synthesis of meso-tetraarylchlorins

Chlorins have been synthesized through the reduction of the corresponding porphyrins although theoretically they can be obtained from reduced macrocycle forms as porphyrinogens. A new method for the oxidation of meso-tetraarylporphyrinogens was developed generating a substantial amount of chlorin relatively to porphyrin. The structure of the porphyrinogen, particularly the presence of substituents on the meso-phenyl groups, is decisive for the final yield of chlorin. In the case of meso-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrinogen, 92% of the corresponding chlorin is obtained.     

Synthesis and characterizations of meso-disubstituted asymmetric porphycenes

A post-synthetic method has been developed to synthesize novel asymmetric porphycenes bearing two different substituents on the meso-positions. Nitration of 9-acetoxy-2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propylporphycene with AgNO₃ in CH₃COOH/CH₂Cl₂ occurs regioselectively at the 19-position of the macrocycle to give 9-acetoxy-19-nitro-2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propylporphycene (3a) which was readily converted to 9-acetoxy-19-amino-2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propylporphycene (4a) by the reduction with SnCl₂ in pyridine.     

A Spectroscopic and Theoretical Investigation of a Free‐Base meso‐Trithienylcorrole

The unique optical properties of free‐base meso‐tris(5‐methylthien‐2‐yl)corrole were compared to those of the widely investigated meso‐triphenyl‐substituted analogue. A combination of spectroscopic and computational experiments was undertaken to elucidate the relationship between structural features of the neutral, mono‐anionic and mono‐cationic forms of the corroles and their corresponding optical properties. A general bathochromic shift was measured for the thienyl‐substituted corrole. The experimental spectra are supported by excited state calculations. A systematic series of ground state minimizations were performed to determine energy minima for the flexible and solvent‐sensitive molecules. Trithienylcorrole was found to have a more nonplanar macrocycle in conjunction with a high degree of π‐overlap with the meso‐substituents. Both structural features contribute to their bathochromically shifted optical spectra. The configurational character of the thienyl‐substituted corrole is shown to have a larger degree of molecular orbital mixing and doubly excited character, which suggest a more complex electronic structure that does not fully adhere to the Gouterman four‐orbital model. The reactivity of the thienyl groups, particularly with respect to their ability to be (electro)‐polymerized, combined with the tight coupling of the meso‐thienyl groups with the corrole chromophore elucidated in this work, recommends the meso‐thienylcorroles as building blocks in, for instance, organic semiconductor devices.     

The unique properties observed for the unsymmetrical macrocyclic compounds with the highly distorted structure

A new class of aza-macrocycles with the highly distorted structure was found to exhibit unique properties. These macrocycles react with various lithium salts to form lithium complexes and their lithium complexation reactions depend on a substituent on the macrocyclic ring; slower rates and larger equilibrium constants were observed for the macrocycle with a bulkier substituent. The irradiation of these macrocycles by UV light was found to lead to the isomerization, and the photoisomerization rate of macrocycle with the bulky substituent was much faster. The highly distorted structure of these macrocycles makes it much easier to change the conformation of macrocyclic skeleton and these macrocycles have a variety of conformations. The factors to govern this conformational change were therefore explored. The solvent effect was examined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, because these macrocycles have a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond in the ring. As a result, the solvent was found to have a big effect on the ¹H NMR spectra of macrocycles that could be explained in terms of the conformational change of macrocycle. This finding suggests the solvent to be an important way of controlling the conformation.     

meso‐Free Corroles: Syntheses,Structures, Properties,and Chemical Reactivities

5,10‐Bis(pentafluorophenyl)corrole ( 5 ) and 5,15‐bis(pentafluorophenyl)corrole ( 9 ) have been synthesized as meso‐free corroles by rational synthetic routes. Both the structures of these corroles have been unambiguously revealed by X‐ray diffraction analysis and their optical and electrochemical properties have been studied. Chlorination and oxidative dimerization of 5 and 9 have been explored, which revealed a marked different reactivity of the free meso‐positions in 5 and 9 . 10‐Chlorinated corrole 11 was effectively prepared by the reaction of 9 with Palau‘chlor in the presence of 1 % pyridine whereas 5‐chlorinated corrole 12 was obtained in a trace amount from similar chlorination of 5 . 5,5′‐Linked corrole dimer 13 was produced by reaction of 5 with AgNO₂ in a good yield, whereas 10,10′‐linked corrole dimer 14 was formed in a moderate yield by the reaction of 9 with [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene. Observed large electronic interaction between the two corroles in 13 as compared with that in 14 has been ascribed mainly to conformational flexibility of the former, which allows more coplanar conformation.     

Reactivity of mixed manganese complexes with porphyrins and anionic ligands. Effect of modification of the organic part of the molecule

Manganese(III) complexes with octaethyl-, 5-phenyloctaethyl-, 5,10-and 5,15-diphenyloctaethyl-, 5,10,15-triphenyloctaethyl-, and 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyloctaethylporphyrins were synthesized, and the kinetics and mechanism of their dissociation in mixed AcOH-H₂SO₄ system were studied. The complete stability series of octaethylporphyrin manganese(III) complexes with increasing number of phenyl substituents at the meso positions of the porphyrin ligand was obtained.     

Control of Conformation and Chirality of Nonplanar π‐Conjugated Diporphyrins Using Substituents and Axial Ligands

Nonplanar conformations of pyrazine‐fused Zn^II diporphyrins could be controlled by the choice of the meso‐aryl substituents and an axial ligand on the central metals. Zn^II diporphyrins bearing sterically demanding meso‐aryl groups with ortho‐substituents led to a twisted chiral D₂ conformation, while an achiral C_2h form was preferred in the case of aryl groups without ortho‐substituents. Helical chirality induction on Zn^II diporphyrins in the twisted conformation was achieved by controlling their handedness of the molecular twist through coordination of optically active 1‐phenethylamine.     

Periphery-Fused Chiral A2B-Type Subporphyrin

Despite significant interest, the chiroptical properties of subporphyrins have rarely been investigated because chiral subporphyrins are elusive. Here, inherently chiral subporphyrins are elaborated by forming a fused pyran ring at the periphery of an A₂B-type meso-aryl-substituted subporphyrin. Their circular dichroism (CD) properties are largely affected by the peripheral substituents and the dihedral angles between the meso-aryl substituents and the subporphyrin core: the β-perbromo subporphyrin with an orthogonal arrangement of the meso-phenyl substituents to the subporphyrin core exhibits weak CD signals corresponding to the Q bands, whereas the unsubstituted species with smaller dihedral angles shows relatively intense CD signals. A detailed structure–property relationship of these chiral subporphyrins was elucidated by time-dependent (TD) DFT calculations. This study reveals that the CD properties of chiral subporphyrins can be controlled by peripheral substitution and meso-aryl substituents.     

Intramolecular co-operative hydrogen bond in calix[<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>]arenes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 4, 6, 8) bearing bulky substituents

Based on the Fourier transform IR spectroscopy together with the published NMR and X-ray data, it was shown that cyclic co-operative intramolecular hydrogen bond in calix[n]arene (n = 4, 6, 8) molecules is mainly responsible for their conformational state irrespective of the presence or absence of bulky substituents at the upper rim of the molecules. In accordance with the size of a macrocycle (n = 4, 6, 8), the stable conformation, secured by such a hydrogen bond, constitutes a cone, a pinched cone, and a pleated loop, respectively. The new, potentially competing system of hydrogen bonds in calix[6]arenes with 3-carboxymethyl-1-adamantyl substituents does not affect the conformational state of the macrocycle and its H-bonding. Six carboxy groups at the upper rim form in pairs three cyclic dimers, which does not disturb the hydrogen bonds of the hydroxy groups and the conformation of the macrocycle. In addition, the cavity of the molecule is considerably enlarged. The removal or rearrangement of the guest molecules in the solid calixarene by heating up to 180 °C only slightly affects the conformational state of macrocycles bearing bulky substituents, whereas in calixarenes devoid of such substituents, the similar procedure leads to somewhat of a distortion of the macrocycles (judging from the IR spectral indications of hydrogen bonding). Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1062–1068, June, 2007.     

Conformational analysis of new 14-membered ring diketal dilactam macrocycles: molecular mechanics, liquid and solid state NMR studies

A conformational study of new diversely substituted 14-membered diketal dilactam macrocycles was conducted by NMR spectroscopy in liquid and solid states, molecular mechanics calculations and, for one compound, a previous X-ray analysis. The results obtained by the different techniques show that the conformations depend closely on whether the molecules are chiral or achiral and on the stereochemistry of the ketal OMe groups. In achiral compounds, the most stable conformation of each compound has, in both the liquid and solid states, the two NH-CO links positioned perpendicular to the macrocycle plane, lending to the trans-7,7′-OMe macrocycles 6b and 7b a rectangular [3434]-type structure. In contrast, in chiral compounds, the most stable conformations are not the same in the liquid and solid phases. In the liquid state the conformations are set by the presence of one or two N₄-H?O_1′, N_4′-H?O₁ intramolecular hydrogen bonds that position the amide group parallel to the macrocycle plane, whereas in the solid state the amide moieties again adopt a perpendicular position which can be stabilized, when the 3-R substituent is not too bulky, by intermolecular N-H?OC bonds between parallel sheets, and exceptionally, in the cis-7,7′-OMe-3,3′-Ph compound 1c, by a π-π stacking effect between the phenyl groups.