Directly linked porphyrin arrays

The Ag(I)-promoted oxidative meso-meso coupling reaction of 5,15-diaryl Zn(II)-porphyrin was serendipitously found in the course of our synthetic approaches towards photosynthetic reaction centers. Based on this reaction, a variety of directly linked and fused porphyrin arrays have been synthesized, including linear meso-meso-linked porphyrin arrays, windmill- and grid-shaped porphyrin arrays, meso-beta singly linked diporphyrins, beta-beta linked diporphyrins, meso-beta doubly linked (fused) diporphyrins and oligoporphyrins, meso-meso beta-beta doubly linked (fused) diporphyrins, and meso-meso beta-beta-beta-beta triply linked (fused) diporphyrins. The meso-meso coupling reaction of 5,15-diaryl Zn(II)-porphyrins is advantageous considering its high regioselectivity as well as its ease of extension to large porphyrin arrays as is demonstrated by the synthesis of a discrete meso-meso-linked 128-mer and poly(5,15-porphyrinylene). Finally, the oxidation of end-phenyl capped meso-meso-linked zinc porphyrins with DDQ-Sc(OTf)(3) gave pi-conjugated flat porphyrin tapes. To the best of our knowledge, the meso-meso linked 128-mer is the longest man-made discrete molecule, and the porphyrin tape 12-mer is the most extensively conjugated porphyrin array, as evinced by the lowest electronic band peak at 3500 cm(-1).     

Investigation of tightly coupled porphyrin arrays comprised of identical monomers for multibit information storage

Our prior designs for molecular-based information storage devices have employed multiple redox-active units organized in weakly coupled, covalently linked arrays. To explore a simpler design, we report here the synthesis of porphyrin arrays where porphyrins with identical oxidation potentials are directly linked to one another instead of joined via a molecular linker. Oxidative coupling with AgPF(6) of zinc(II)-5,15-bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)-10-phenylporphyrin, obtained by a rational synthesis, afforded the expected dimer joined by a meso-meso linkage and an unexpected trimer joined by meso-meso linkages. For attachment to an electroactive surface we synthesized a meso-linked porphyrin dimer with a thiol-linker in one of the meso positions. The S-acetyl protecting group was used to avoid handling free thiol groups. Coupling of zinc(II)-5,10,15-tris(3, 5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrin ("upper half") and zinc(II)-5-[4-(S-acetylthio)phenyl]-10,20-bis(3, 5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrin ("lower half") afforded three different meso-linked dimers with the desired dimer as the main product. Electrochemical examination of the meso-linked dimer in solution shows that the first two oxidation potentials of the array differ by approximately 0.15 V and straddle the value exhibited by the monomeric constituents. The third and fourth oxidation potentials of the array are also split although to a lesser extent ( approximately 0.08 V) than the first and second. For the meso-linked trimer, the first three oxidation waves are also split; however, these waves are severely overlapped. The electrochemical behavior of the dimers and trimer is indicative of strong electronic interactions among the porphyrins. The thiol-derivatized meso-linked dimers form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold via in situ cleavage of the S-acetylthio protecting group. The porphyrin SAM exhibits four well-resolved oxidation waves. Regardless, the meso-meso linkage is relatively unstable upon formation of the pi-cation radical(s). This characteristic indicates that the structural motif is of limited utility for molecular information storage elements.     

Direct evidence for an iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin pi-cation radical as an active oxidant in catalytic oxygenation reactions

A high-valent iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin pi-cation radical is an active oxidant in the catalytic oxygenation of organic substrates by an iron(III) porphyrin complex and peracids, whereas an iron(III)-oxidant porphyrin adduct is a sluggish oxidant in iron porphyrin model reactions.     

Biomimetic oxidation reactions of a naked manganese(V)-oxo porphyrin complex

The intrinsic reactivity of a manganese(V)-oxo porphyrin complex, a typically fleeting intermediate in catalytic oxidation reactions in solution, has been elucidated in a study focused on its gas-phase ion-chemistry. The naked high-valent Mn(V)-oxo porphyrin intermediate 1 ([(tpfpp)Mn(V)O](+); tpfpp=meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphinato dianion), has been obtained by controlled treatment of [(tpfpp)Mn(III)]Cl (2-Cl) with iodosylbenzene in methanol, delivered in the gas phase by electrospray ionization and assayed by FT-ICR mass spectrometry. A direct kinetic study of the reaction with selected substrates, each containing a heteroatom X (X=S, N, P) including amines, sulfides, and phosphites, was thus performed. Ionic products arising from electron transfer (ET), hydride transfer (HT), oxygen-atom transfer (OAT), and formal addition (Add) may be observed, with a predominance of two-electron processes, whereas the product of hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT), [(tpfpp)Mn(IV)OH](+), is never detected. A thermochemical threshold for the formation of the product radical cation allows an evaluation of the electron-transfer ability of a Mn(V)-oxo complex, yielding a lower limit of 7.85 eV for the ionization energy of gaseous [(tpfpp)Mn(IV)O]. Linear free-energy analyses of the reactions of para-substituted N,N-dimethylanilines and thioanisoles indicate that a considerable amount of positive charge is developed on the heteroatom in the oxidation transition state. Substrates endowed with different heteroatoms, but similar ionization energy display a comparable reaction efficiency, consistent with a mechanism initiated by ET. For the first time, the kinetic acidity of putative hydroxo intermediates playing a role in catalytic oxidations, [(tpfpp)Fe(IV)OH](+) and [(tpfpp)Mn(IV)OH](+), has been investigated with selected reference bases, revealing a comparatively higher basicity for the ferryl, [(tpfpp)Fe(IV)O], with respect to the manganyl, [(tpfpp)Mn(IV)O], unit. Finally, the neat association reaction of 2 has been studied with various ligands showing that harder ligands are more strongly bound.     

Photophysical properties of porphyrin tapes

The novel fused Zn(II)porphyrin arrays (Tn, porphyrin tapes) in which the porphyrin macrocycles are triply linked at meso-meso, beta-beta, beta-beta positions have been investigated by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic measurements along with theoretical MO calculations. The absorption spectra of the porphyrin tapes show a systematic downshift to the IR region as the number of porphyrin pigments increases in the arrays. The fused porphyrin arrays exhibit a rapid formation of the lowest excited states (for T2, approximately 500 fs) via fast internal conversion processes upon photoexcitation at 400 nm (Soret bands), which is much faster than the internal conversion process of approximately 1.2 ps observed for a monomeric Zn(II)porphyrin. The relaxation dynamics of the lowest excited states of the porphyrin tapes were accelerated from approximately 4.5 ps for the T2 dimer to approximately 0.3 ps for the T6 hexamer as the number of porphyrin units increases, being explained well by the energy gap law. The overall photophysical properties of the porphyrin tapes were observed to be in a sharp contrast to those of the orthogonal porphyrin arrays. The PPP-SCI calculated charge-transfer probability indicates that the lowest excited state of the porphyrin tapes (Tn) resembles a Wannier-type exciton closely, whereas the lowest excited state of the directly linked porphyrin arrays can be considered as a Frenkel-type exciton. Conclusively, these unique photophysical properties of the porphyrin tapes have aroused much interest in the fundamental photophysics of large flat organic molecules as well as in the possible applications as electric wires, IR sensors, and nonlinear optical materials.     

Control over the oxidative reactivity of metalloporphyrins. Efficient electrosynthesis of meso,meso-linked zinc porphyrin dimer

The electrochemical oxidation of zinc(II) 5,15-p-ditolyl-10-phenylporphyrin at its first oxidation potential leads to the formation of the corresponding meso-meso porphyrin dimer as the main product. The number of electrons abstracted, the addition of the hindered base 2,6-lutidine as well as operating in DMF, instead of a CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)CN mixture are the key parameters to obtain high yields of the desired coupling product. Indeed, when the electrolyses are carried out in the CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)CN mixture, the unexpected zinc(II) 5-chloro-10,20-p-ditolyl-15-phenyl porphyrin is produced as a by-product, the chlorine atom originating from the CH(2)Cl(2) solvent. The monomer and the dimer are characterised by electrochemical analysis. The signature of the dimer is clearly distinguished on the cyclic voltammogram of the monomer on condition of the prior addition of 2,6-lutidine as a hindered base, indicating that the dimerisation process is thus strongly accelerated. Besides, unprecedented X-ray crystallographic structures of the monomer and the meso-meso dimer are presented and their respective structural parameters are compared.     

Rearrangements of Internally-bridged Octaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1)s to Porphyrin Dimers

Internally-bridged octaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1) underwent a rearrangement to meso-meso linked porphyrin dimer as a new metamorphosis. Extensive examination suggests that hydride-addition is a key step for the rearrangements to afford thermodynamically more stable porphyrin framework. Further, β-tetrabromo[36]octaphyrin was transformed to meso-meso, β-β, β-β triply linked porphyrin dimer via a similar mechanism combined with Pd-mediated reductive homocoupling.     

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivities of manganese(V)-oxo porphyrin complexes

The reactions of manganese(III) porphyrin complexes with terminal oxidants, such as m-chloroperbenzoic acid, iodosylarenes, and H(2)O(2), produced high-valent manganese(V)-oxo porphyrins in the presence of base in organic solvents at room temperature. The manganese(V)-oxo porphyrins have been characterized with various spectroscopic techniques, including UV-vis, EPR, 1H and 19F NMR, resonance Raman, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The combined spectroscopic results indicate that the manganese(V)-oxo porphyrins are diamagnetic low-spin (S = 0) species with a longer, weaker Mn-O bond than in previously reported Mn(V)-oxo complexes of non-porphyrin ligands. This is indicative of double-bond character between the manganese(V) ion and the oxygen atom and may be attributed to the presence of a trans axial ligand. The [(Porp)Mn(V)=O](+) species are stable in the presence of base at room temperature. The stability of the intermediates is dependent on base concentration. In the absence of base, (Porp)Mn(IV)=O is generated instead of the [(Porp)Mn(V)=O](+) species. The stability of the [(Porp)Mn(V)=O](+) species also depends on the electronic nature of the porphyrin ligands: [(Porp)Mn(V)=O](+) complexes bearing electron-deficient porphyrin ligands are more stable than those bearing electron-rich porphyrins. Reactivity studies of manganese(V)-oxo porphyrins revealed that the intermediates are capable of oxygenating PPh(3) and thioanisoles, but not olefins and alkanes at room temperature. These results indicate that the oxidizing power of [(Porp)Mn(V)=O](+) is low in the presence of base. However, when the [(Porp)Mn(V)=O](+) complexes were associated with iodosylbenzene in the presence of olefins and alkanes, high yields of oxygenated products were obtained in the catalytic olefin epoxidation and alkane hydroxylation reactions. Mechanistic aspects, such as oxygen exchange between [(Porp)Mn(V)=16O](+) and H(2)(18)O, are also discussed.     

Enlarged pi-electronic network of a meso-meso, beta-beta, beta-beta triply linked dibenzoporphyrin dimer that exhibits a large two-photon absorption cross section

Enlargement of the pi-electronic network of meso-meso, beta-beta, beta-beta triply linked diporphyrin has been exploited by preparing a corresponding dibenzo-fused porphyrin dimer that exhibits a perturbed absorption spectrum and a large two-photon absorption cross section.     

A meso-meso directly linked octameric porphyrin square

A meso-meso directly linked cyclic octameric porphyrin square was synthesized via stepwise Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reactions, and its ability to capture a guest molecule in the inside cavity has been confirmed.     

STM images of individual porphyrin hexamers; meso-meso singly linked orthogonal hexamer and meso-meso, beta-beta, beta-beta triply-linked planar hexamer on Cu(100) surface

Geometrical structures of chain porphyrin arrays adsorbed on Cu(100) are observed by STM: a bridge-like bent structure for meso-meso singly linked orthogonal hexamer, whereas a rigid planar and one-dimensionally stacked structure for meso-meso, beta-beta, beta-beta triply-linked hexamer.     

Effect of the axial ligand on substrate sulfoxidation mediated by iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin cation radical oxidants

Cytochromes P450 catalyze a range of different oxygen-transfer processes including aliphatic and aromatic hydroxylation, epoxidation, and sulfoxidation reactions. Herein, we have investigated substrate sulfoxidation mediated by models of P450 enzymes as well as by biomimetic oxidants using density functional-theory methods and we have rationalized the sulfoxidation reaction barriers and rate constants. We carried out two sets of calculations: first, we calculated the sulfoxidation by an iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin cation radical oxidant [Fe(IV)=O(Por(+.))SH] that mimics the active site of cytochrome P450 enzymes with a range of different substrates, and second, we studied one substrate (dimethyl sulfide) with a selection of different iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin cation radical oxidants [Fe(IV)=O(Por(+.))L] with varying axial ligands L. The study presented herein shows that the barrier height for substrate sulfoxidation correlates linearly with the ionization potential of the substrate, thus reflecting the electron-transfer processes in the rate-determining step of the reaction. Furthermore, the axial ligand of the oxidant influences the pK(a) value of the iron(IV)-oxo group, and, as a consequence, the bond dissociation energy (BDE(OH) value correlates with the barrier height for the reverse sulfoxidation reaction. These studies have generalized substrate-sulfoxidation reactions and have shown how they fundamentally compare with substrate hydroxylation and epoxidation reactions.     

Efficient excitation energy transfer in long meso-meso linked Zn(II) porphyrin arrays bearing a 5,15-bisphenylethynylated Zn(II) porphyrin acceptor

Electronically coupled porphyrin arrays are suitable for artificial light harvesting antenna in light of a large absorption cross-section and fast excitation energy transfer (EET). Along this line, an artificial energy transfer model system has been synthesized, comprising of an energy donating meso-meso linked Zn(II) porphyrin array and an energy accepting 5,15-bisphenylethynylated Zn(II) porphyrin linked via a 1,4-phenylene spacer. This includes an increasing number of porphyrins in the meso-meso linked Zn(II) porphyrin array, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 (Z1A, Z2A, Z3A, Z6A, Z12A, and Z24A). The intramolecular singlet-singlet EET processes have been examined by means of the steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. The steady-state fluorescence comes only from the acceptor moiety in Z1A-Z12A, indicating nearly the quantitative EET. In Z24A that has a molecular length of ca. 217 A, the fluorescence comes largely from the acceptor moiety but partly from the long donor array, indicating that the intramolecular EET is not quantitative. The transient absorption spectroscopy has provided the EET rates in real time scale: (2.5 ps)(-1) for Z1A, (3.3 ps)(-1) for Z2A, (5.5 ps)(-1) for Z3A, (21 ps)(-1) for Z6A, (63 ps)(-1) for Z12A, and (108 ps)(-1) for Z24A. These results have been well explained by a revised F?rster equation (Sumi formula), which takes into account an exciton extending coherently over several porphyrin pigments in the donor array, whose length is not much shorter than the average donor-acceptor distance. Advantages of such strongly coupled porphyrin arrays in light harvesting and transmission are emphasized in terms of fast EET and a large absorption cross-section for incident light.     

Intramolecular and intermolecular energy transfers in donor-acceptor linear porphyrin arrays

We present highly time-resolved spontaneous fluorescence spectra of a porphyrin array system that consists of an energy donor and an acceptor linked by a phenyl group. The donors are meso-meso directly linked zinc(II) porphyrin arrays and the acceptor is a zinc(II) 5,15-di(phenylethynyl)porphyrin. The spectra over the entire Q (S1) emission band following the excitation of the donor B (S2) state have been measured directly without the conventional spectral reconstruction method. The time-resolved fluorescence spectra revealed detailed energy relaxation processes within the donor and subsequent energy transfer to the acceptor. The observed energy transfer rates to the acceptor are consistent with the Forster energy transfer rates calculated on the assumption that the energy is localized in the Q state of each porphyrin unit of the donor prior to the energy transfer. The passage of the energy deposited initially on one porphyrin unit of the donor to the acceptor illustrates a sequence of energy delocalization and localization processes before it finally reaches the acceptor.     

A giant supramolecular light-harvesting antenna-acceptor composite

A giant light-harvesting antenna-acceptor composite was constructed by heterodimerization of imidazolylmanganese(III)porphyrin to molecular terminals of the zinc porphyrin array composed of meso-meso linked bis(imidazolylzincporphyrin). Fluorescence quenching titration indicated that the terminal imidazolylmanganase(III)porphyrin quenched excited zinc porphyrin separated by a large number of intervening porphyrins and that the meso-meso linked bis(imidazolylzincporphyrin) array was an efficient light-harvesting antenna.     

Kinetics of two-electron oxidations by the compound I derivative of chloroperoxidase, a model for cytochrome P450 oxidants

[structure: see text] Rate constants for two-electron oxidation reactions of Compound I from chloroperoxidase (CPO) with a variety of substrates were measured by stopped-flow kinetic techniques. The thiolate ligand of CPO Compound I activates the iron-oxo species with the result that oxidation reactions are 2 to 3 orders of magnitude faster than oxidations by model iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin radical cations containing weaker binding counterions.     

Aerial oxidation kinetics of a phenolic porphyrin in acid solution

The rate of aerial oxidation of the title porphyrin ( 1 ) in dichloromethane (DCM), acidified with trifluoro-acetic acid (TFA), was found to be first-order in 1 and second-order in TFA at low TFA concentrations, and second-order in both 1 and TFA at higher TFA concentrations. At the lower TFA concentrations, aerial oxidation gives the two-electron oxidised product 2 , while at the higher TFA concentrations, a porphyrin pication radical 3 is formed. These results are rationalised by a kinetic scheme requiring, (i), preequilibrium involving transient formation of a porphyrin tetracation 4 , (ii), two-electron oxidation of 4 to a diprotonated oxidised porphyrin 5 , (iii) reaction of 5 with solvent water and (iv), conproportionation of 5 with 1 to generate 3 .     

Cyclic porphyrin arrays as artificial photosynthetic antenna: synthesis and excitation energy transfer

Covalently linked cyclic porphyrin arrays have been explored in recent years as artificial photosynthetic antenna. In this review we present the fundamental aspects of covalently linked cyclic porphyrin arrays by highlighting recent progress. The major emphasis of this tutorial review lies on the synthetic method, the structure, and the excitation energy transfer (EET) of such arrays. The final cyclization steps were often performed with the aid of templates. Efficient EET along the wheel is observed in these cyclic arrays, but ultrafast EET processes with rates of <1 ps, which rival those in the natural LH2, are rare and have been identified only in cyclic arrays 30-32 composed of directly meso-meso linked porphyrins.     

Oxoferryl porphyrin/hydrogen peroxide system whose behavior is equivalent to hydroperoxoferric porphyrin

The reaction between H(2)O(2) and a pyridine-coordinated ferric porphyrin encapsulated by a cyclodextrin dimer yielded a hydroperoxoferric porphyrin intermediate, PFe(III)-OOH, which rapidly decomposed to oxoferryl porphyrin (PFe(IV)═O). Upon reaction with H(2)O(2), PFe(IV)═O reverted to PFe(III)-OOH, which was converted to carbon monoxide-coordinated ferrous porphyrin under a CO atmosphere. PFe(IV)═O in the presence of excess H(2)O(2) behaves as PFe(III)-OOH.     

Helicity induction and two-photon absorbance enhancement in zinc(II) meso-meso linked porphyrin oligomers via intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions

Helicity has been induced in meso-meso linked oligomers by hydrogen bonding host-guest interactions with cyclic urea. Helical porphyrin arrays thus formed exhibit chirality amplification and enhanced two-photon absorption properties.