Figure eights, Möbius bands, and more: conformation and aromaticity of porphyrinoids

The aromatic character of porphyrins, which has significant chemical and biological consequences, can be substantially altered by judicious modifications of the parent ring system. Expansion of the macrocycle, which is achieved by introducing additional subunits, usually increases the so‐called free curvature of the ring, leading to larger angular strain. This strain is reduced by a variety of conformational changes, most notably by subunit inversion and π surface twisting. The latter effect creates a particularly convenient access to Möbius aromatic molecules, whose properties, predicted over 40 years ago, are of considerable theoretical importance. The conformational processes occurring in porphyrin analogues are often coupled to other chemical phenomena, and can thus be exploited as a means of constructing functional molecular devices. In this Review, the structural chemistry of porphyrinoids is discussed in the context of their conformational dynamics and π‐electron conjugation     

The aromaticity and Möbius characteristics of carbeno[8]heteroannulenes and triplet state annulenes

Two types of annulene which may show significant M?bius aromatic character and bond and twist delocalisation are proposed; triplet states with 4n + 2 occupancy of the p pi array of atomic orbitals and a novel 8-pi carbeno[8]heteroannulene ring system 1 where the Hückel highly antiaromatic nature as a planar system can be attenuated or even reversed by the C2 symmetric M?bius distortion.     

Double-twist Möbius aromaticity in a 4n+ 2 electron electrocyclic reaction

One transition state for the 10 electron (4n+ 2) electrocyclisation of Z,E,Z-decapentaene is predicted to have the properties of a double-twist M?bius strip, with delocalised bond lengths and the NICS(0) magnetic index typical of aromaticity; a 5,6-di-(t)Bu substituted decapentaene is predicted to react in this mode in preference to the competitive six-electron electrocyclisation.     

Topicity of vertices and edges in the möbius ladders: a topological result with chemical implications

It is shown that for uncolored Möbius ladders with n rungs, if n=3 all vertices and edges are constitutionally equivalent, while if n>3 all vertices are equivalent but two heterotopic classes of edges appear. Possible chemical consequences of these facts are discussed.     

Synthesis and properties of the first Möbius annulenes

Heilbronner in 1964 predicted that annulenes with ".. a planar perimeter of N=4r AO's, which would yield an open shell configuration when occupied by 4r electrons, can be twisted into a closed shell M?bius strip perimeter without loss in pi electron energy". We have been able to synthesize the first [4n]annulene with such a M?bius topology and now present further M?bius isomers and the details of their preparation as stable compounds. To address the question whether the twist in the pi system has an effect on the properties we systematically investigate energy, geometry and magnetic parameters of a large number isomers of [16]annulenes. The M?bius twisted annulenes are consistently more aromatic than the non-twisted isomers. This is true for the parent as well as our benzoannelated systems. Our results are in contrast to those published recently by C. Castro, W. L. Karney, P. von R. Schleyer et al.     

Unambiguous identification of Möbius aromaticity for meso-aryl-substituted [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1)

meso-Aryl-substituted [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) have been examined by (1)H, (13)C, and (19)F NMR spectroscopies, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All of these data consistently indicate that [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) in solution at 25 degrees C exist largely as an equilibrium among several rapidly interconverting twisted M?bius conformations with distinct aromaticities, with a small contribution from a planar rectangular conformation with antiaromatic character at slightly higher energy. In the solid state, [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) take either planar or M?bius-twisted conformations, depending upon the meso-aryl substituents and crystallization conditions, indicating a small energy difference between the two conformers. Importantly, when the temperature is decreased to -100 degrees C in THF, these rapid interconversions among M?bius conformations are frozen, allowing the detection of a single [28]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1) species having a M?bius conformation. Detailed analyses of the solid-state M?bius structures of compounds 2b, 2c, and 2f showed that singly twisted structures are achieved without serious strain and that cyclic pi-conjugation is well-preserved, as needed for exhibiting strong diatropic ring currents. Actually, the harmonic-oscillator model for aromaticity (HOMA) values of these structures are significantly large (0.85, 0.69, and 0.71, respectively), confirming the first demonstration of stable M?bius aromatic systems consisting of free-base expanded porphyrins without the assistance of metal coordination.     

Möbius aromaticity in [12]annulene: cis-trans isomerization via twist-coupled bond shifting

Density functional and coupled cluster calculations show that facile thermal configuration change in [12]annulene occurs via a twist-coupled bond-shifting mechanism. The transition state for this process is highly aromatic with M?bius topology. At the CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//BH&HLYP/6-311+G** level, the isomerization of tri-trans-[12]annulene 1a (CTCTCT) to its di-trans isomer 2 (CCCTCT) via such a mechanism has a barrier of 18.0 kcal/mol, in good agreement with earlier experiments. Two other aromatic M?bius bond-shifting transition states were located that result in configuration change for other [12]annulene conformers. This mechanism contrasts sharply with diradical configuration change for acyclic polyenes and with planar bond-shifting mechanisms generally assumed for annulenes. This constitutes evidence that neutral M?bius aromatic annulenes play a role in the dynamic processes of neutral [4n]annulenes.     

Confusion of Möbius aromaticity: disruption of annulenic pathway in singly N-confused [28]hexaphyrin and its mono-Pd(II) complex

Singly N-confused [26] and [28]hexaphyrins (4, 5) with planar and twisted structures, respectively, were prepared via the acid catalyzed [3 + 3] condensation of N-confused and regular tripyrrane precursors. Hückel aromaticity is observed for [26]hexaphyrin, while the [28]hexaphyrin and its mono-Pd(II) complex exhibit "nonaromaticity" in spite of their M?bius-type structures, judging from the spectroscopic features and theoretical calculations.     

Assembly and autochirogenesis of a chiral inorganic polythioanion Möbius strip via symmetry breaking

Using [Mo(2)S(2)O(2)(H(2)O)(6)](2+) and squarate dianion, we synthesized the thiometalate ring compounds [(Mo(2)S(2)O(2))(x)(OH)(y)(C(4)O(4))(z)(Mo(2)O(8))(o)(H(2)O)(p)](n-), where [x,y,z,o,p,n] = [7,14,2,0,2,4] for 1, [6,8,2,2,4,8] for 2, and [4,6,1,1,0,4] for both 3a and 3b, which are chiral and nonchiral isomers, respectively. Not only do the four thiometalate clusters show decreasing symmetry at the molecular level across the series, but the incorporation of the "addendum" {Mo(2)O(8)}(o) unit also allows the thiometalate ring to twist. The reaction initially yields the chiral molecule 3a with a twisted ring, which undergoes spontaneous resolution upon crystallization; the reaction mixture later yields the intrinsically nonchiral isomer 3b with a nontwisted ring. In addition, the compounds are able to promote the electrocatalytic evolution of hydrogen.     

Möbius strip versus linear and cyclic polyacenes: a Hückel and semiempirical investigation

The electronic structure of finite and infinite linear, cyclic and M?bius strip polyacenes has been investigated by adopting Hückel and semiempirical schemes. Using the Hückel approach, it turns out that the M?bius belting process modifies the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gap in such a way its evolution with chain length is similar to the linear polyacenes rather than their cyclic analogs. These results are corroborated at the Austin model 1 (AM1) level, where the geometry relaxation effects are taken into account. The optimized AM1 structures show that the M?bius defect is localized and extends over a third of the ring. With respect to the Hückel approach, accounting for geometry distortion at the AM1 levels results in an increase in the HOMO–LUMO gap of the M?bius strip relative to the linear and cyclic finite-size structures. On the other hand, when including electron-hole correlation at the configuration interaction singles/Zerner's intermediate neglect of differential overlap level the behavior with system size of the first excitation energy of cyclic and M?bius polyacenes differs from their linear analogs and leads to smaller singlet excitation energies. Received: 20 September 2000 / Accepted: 21 September 2000 / Published online: 28 February 2001     

Intrinsically chiral aromaticity. Rules incorporating linking number, twist, and writhe for higher-twist Möbius annulenes

The geometries of coiled annulenes belonging to the chiral C2 and D(n) (n = 2,7) point groups are defined by two chiral indices, W(r) and T(w), respectively (writhe and twist), which sum to give an overall integer linking number, L(k) (the C?lug?reanu-White-Fuller theorem). While the value of L(k) can been equated with single-twist (L(k) = 1pi), double-twist (L(k) = 2), and higher-order (L(k) > 2) twisted (M?bius-Listing) annulenes, we suggest that the correct Huckel molecular-orbital treatment is to use T(w) specifically in the 2p(pi)-2p(pi) overlap correction first suggested by Heilbronner, rather than L(k). Quantitatively, because many of these systems project much of the finite value of T(w) into W(r), a simple mechanism exists to increase the pi-electron resonance stabilization beyond what simple Heilbronner theory predicts. Examples of a diverse set of such chiral annulenes are dissected into W(r) and T(w) contributions, which reveals that those with the minimum value of T(w) are associated with the greater delocalized stability.     

Wet chemical synthesis and a combined X-ray and Mössbauer study of the formation of FeSb2 nanoparticles

Understanding how solids form is a challenging task, and few strategies allow for elucidation of reaction pathways that are useful for designing the synthesis of solids. Here, we report a powerful solution-mediated approach for formation of nanocrystals of the thermoelectrically promising FeSb(2) that uses activated metal nanoparticles as precursors. The small particle size of the reactants ensures minimum diffusion paths, low activation barriers, and low reaction temperatures, thereby eliminating solid-solid diffusion as the rate-limiting step in conventional bulk-scale solid-state synthesis. A time- and temperature-dependent study of formation of nanoparticular FeSb(2) by X-ray powder diffraction and iron-57 M?ssbauer spectroscopy showed the incipient formation of the binary phase in the temperature range of 200-250 °C.     

Aromaticity with a twist: Möbius [4n]annulenes

Aromatic M?bius [4n]annulenes with 4n pi electrons, originally conceived by Heilbronner, are characterized computationally. These (CH)(12), (CH)(16), and (CH)(20) minima have nearly equal C-C bond lengths, small twist angles around the rings, and magnetic properties (NICS, nucleus-independent chemical shifts--see above at various positions in [16]annulene--and magnetic susceptibility exaltations) indicating significantly diatropic ring currents. The M?bius forms are not the most stable isomers but may contribute significantly to the chemistry of these annulenes. [structure: see text]     

Lemniscular hexaphyrins as examples of aromatic and antiaromatic double-twist Möbius molecules

Two reported [26] and [28]hexaphyrins are analyzed via measured and computed geometries and NMR-shieldings as examples of respectively 4n + 2 pi-electron aromatic and 4n pi-electron antiaromatic double-twist M?bius ring systems, adopting a lemniscular/figure-eight topology with linking number LK = 2pi. Values of local twist (TW) and nonlocal writhe (WR) derived from the relation Lk = Tw + WR appear relatively insensitive to the aromatic/antiaromatic character. The [26]hexaphyrin may adopt differing solution and solid-state conformations.