Two-dimensionally extended porphyrin tapes: synthesis and shape-dependent two-photon absorption properties

We report the synthesis and characterization of L- and T-shaped porphyrin tapes as extensible structural motifs of two-dimensionally extended porphyrin tapes. The two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section values (sigma((2))) for L- and T-shaped porphyrin tapes as well as those for linear trimeric and tetrameric porphyrin tapes were measured by an open-aperture Z-scan method at 2300 nm, a wavelength at which the one-photon absorption contribution is either zero or almost negligible. Under these conditions, the sigma((2)) values for the linear porphyrin tape trimer and tetramer were determined to be 18 500 and 41 200 GM, respectively. The sigma((2)) value for the L-shaped trimer was determined to be 8700 GM, which is only half that of the linear trimer, whereas the sigma((2)) value for the T-shaped tetramer was measured to be 35 700 GM. These results clearly indicate the dependence of the TPA cross-section on the molecular shape, which underscores the importance of directionality in the pi-conjugation pathway for the enhancement of TPA cross- section.     

Trimeric and Tetrameric Electron‐Deficient Porphyrin Tapes

New hybrid porphyrin tapes comprising meso‐3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl‐substituted Zn^II‐porphyrins ( D ) and meso‐pentafluorophenyl‐substituted Zn^II‐porphyrins ( A ) were synthesized via cross‐condensation of meso‐formyl porphyrins 1 , 5 , and 9 with oligopyrromethanes 2 and 6 as key steps. These hybrid tapes exhibit improved solubilities and enhanced chemical stability as compared with original Dn porphyrin tapes, and all display remarkably coplanar structures favorable for π‐conjugation. The absorption spectrum of ADDA displays Q‐like bands at 1400 and 1657 nm with a vibronic structure characteristic of porphyrinoids. The cyclic voltammograms exhibited positively shifted oxidation and reduction waves in the order of DDD < DAD < ADA < AAA . Tetrameric tape ADDA displays five reversible waves in a narrow range of 1.13 V. Two‐photon absorption (TPA) measurement confirmed that the π‐conjugation path is extended from 12 to ADDA and the molecular polarizability of ADA is larger than that of AAA .     

Synthesis of Extremely π‐Extended Porphyrin Tapes from Hybrid meso‐meso Linked Porphyrin Arrays: An Approach Towards the Conjugation Length

Directly meso‐meso, β‐β, β‐β triply linked porphyrin arrays are exceptional π‐conjugated molecules exhibiting remarkably red‐shifted absorption bands extending deeply in the IR region. In order to determine the effective conjugated length (ECL), we embarked on the synthesis of the porphyrin tapes far beyond the 12‐mer, which is the longest we have prepared so far. In this study, to find the compromise between the feasibility of the meso‐meso coupling reaction up to longer arrays and the sufficient solubility and chemical stability of the resultant porphyrin tapes, we prepared hybrid meso‐meso linked porphyrin arrays BOn up to 24‐mer, which have two different aryl groups, a 2,4,6‐tris(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenoxy) phenyl group (Ar¹) and a 3,5‐dioctyloxy phenyl group (Ar²). All these arrays were effectively converted into the corresponding triply linked porphyrin tapes TBOn by oxidation with DDQ‐Sc(OTf)₃. Importantly, the low energy Q‐band‐like absorption bands of TBOn are progressively red‐shifted with an increase in the number of porphyrins n until 16 but the red‐shift is saturated at n=16, indicating the ECL of the porphyrin tape to be around 14–16. The regularly introduced meso‐aryl bulky substituents impose facial encumbrance, hence leading to the effective suppression of π–π interactions as well as improvement of the chemical stabilities of TBOn .     

Oxasmaragdyrin-ferrocene and oxacorrole-ferrocene conjugates: synthesis, structure, and nonlinear optical properties

Ferrocenyl macrocyclic conjugates involving 22 pi oxasmaragdyrins and 18 pi oxacorroles have been synthesized and characterized. The direct covalent linkage of the ferrocenyl moiety to the meso position of the macrocycle is achieved by simple oxidative coupling of appropriate precursors with trifluoroacetic acid as catalyst. The electronic coupling between the ferrocenyl moiety and the macrocyclic pi system is apparent from: a) the red shifts (293-718 cm(-1)) of the Soret and Q-bands in the electronic absorption spectra of ferrocenyl conjugates; b) the shift of oxidation potentials (50-130 mV) of both the ferrocene and the corrole rings to the positive potentials; and c) considerable shortening of the C-C bond which connects the ferrocene and the meso-carbon atom of the macrocycle. The single-crystal X-ray structure of oxasmaragdyrin-ferrocene conjugate 9 reveals the planarity of the 22 pi skeleton with very small deviations of the meso-carbon atoms. The meso-ferrocenyl substituent has a small dihedral angle of 38 degrees, making way for mixing of the molecular orbitals of the ferrocene and the macrocycle. However, the other two meso substituents are almost perpendicular to the mean plane, defined by the three meso carbon atoms. Classical C-H...O and nonclassical C-H...pi interactions lead to a two-dimensional supramolecular network. Ferrocene-smaragdyrin conjugate 9 bonds to a chloride ion in the protonated form and a rhodium(i) ion in the free base form. Nonlinear optical measurements reveal a larger nonlinear refractive index (-5.83 x 10(-8)cm(2)W(-1)) and figure of merit (2.28 x 10(-8)cm(3)W(-1)) for the rhodium smaragdyrin-ferrocene conjugate 19 than for the others, suggesting its possible application in optical devices.     

meso-Aryl substituted rubyrin and its higher homologues: structural characterization and chemical properties

meso-Aryl substituted rubyrin ([26]hexaphyrin(1.1.0.1.1.0)) 2 and a series of rubyrin-type large expanded porphyrins were obtained from a facile one-pot oxidative coupling reaction of meso-pentafluorophenyl substituted tripyrrane 1. The structures of two of the resulting products were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Whereas [52]dodecaphyrin(1.1.0.1.1.0.1.1.0.1.1.0) 4 takes a symmetric helical conformation, the larger species, [62]pentadecaphyrin(1.1.0.1.1.0.1.1.0.1.1.0.1.1.0) 5, adopts a nonsymmetric distorted conformation in the solid state that contains an intramolecular helical structure. The ability of rubyrin 2 to act as an anion receptor in its diprotonated form (2(.)2H(+)) was demonstrated in methanolic solutions. Oxidation of 2 with MnO(2) gave [24]rubyrin 6, a species that displays antiaromatic characteristics. [26]Rubyrin 2 and [24]rubyrin 6 both underwent metallation when reacted with Zn(OAc)(2) to give the corresponding bis-zinc(II) complexes 7 and 8 quantitatively without engendering a change in the oxidation state of the ligands. As a result, complexes 7 and 8 exhibit aromatic and antiaromatic character, respectively. NICS calculation on these compounds also supported aromaticity of 2 and 7, and antiaromaticity of 6 and 8.     

Synthetic expanded porphyrin chemistry

Expanded porphyrins are synthetic analogues of the porphyrins, and differ from these and other naturally occurring tetrapyrrolic macrocycles by containing a larger central core with a minimum of 17 atoms, while retaining the extended conjugation features that are a hallmark of these quintessential biological pigments. The result of core expansion is to produce systems with novel spectral and electronic features, interesting and, often unprecedented, cation-coordination properties, and, in many cases, an ability to bind anions in certain protonation states. Also adding to the appeal of expanded porphyrins is their central role in addressing issues of aromaticity. In many cases, they also display structural features, such as decidedly nonplanar "figure-eight" motifs, that have no antecedents in the chemistry of porphyrins or related macrocyclic compounds. In this Review, the various synthetic approaches now being employed to produce expanded porphyrins as well as their various applications-related aspects are discussed.     

Hückel and Möbius Expanded para‐Benziporphyrins: Synthesis and Aromaticity Switching

The four expanded p‐benziporphyrins A,C‐di‐p‐benzi[24]pentaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1), N‐fused A‐p‐benzi[24]pentaphyrin, A,D ‐di‐p‐benzi[28]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1), and A,C‐di‐p‐benzi[28]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1) were obtained in three‐component Lindsey‐type macrocyclizations. These compounds were explored as macrocyclic ligands and as potential aromaticity switches. A BODIPY‐like difluoroboron complex was obtained from the A,C‐di‐p‐benzi[24]pentaphyrin, whereas A,C‐di‐p‐benzi[28]hexaphyrin yielded a Möbius‐aromatic Pd^II complex containing fused pyrrole and phenylene subunits. Conformational behavior, tautomerism, and acid‐base chemistry of the new macrocycles were characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Free base N‐fused A‐p‐benzi[24]pentaphyrin showed temperature‐dependent Hückel–Möbius aromaticity switching, whereas the A,C‐di‐p‐benzi[28]hexaphyrin formed a Möbius‐aromatic dication.     

Electronic communication through pi-conjugated wires in covalently linked porphyrin/C60 ensembles

Novel photo- and electroactive triads, in which pi-conjugated p-phenylenevinylene oligomers (oPPVs) of different length are connected to a photoexcited-state electron donor (i.e., zinc tetraphenylporphyrin) and an electron acceptor (i.e., C(60)), were designed, synthesized, and tested as electron-transfer model systems. A detailed physicochemical investigation, concentrating mainly on long-range charge separation and charge recombination and kinetics, revealed small attenuation factors beta of 0.03+/-0.005 A(-1). Energy matching between the HOMO levels of C(60) and oPPVs emerged as a key parameter for supporting molecular-wire-like behavior: It favors rapid and efficient electron or hole injection into the oPPV wires. Large electronic coupling values were determined as a result of paraconjugation in the oPPV moieties.     

meso-Trifluoromethyl-substituted expanded porphyrins

A series of meso-trifluoromethyl-substituted expanded porphyrins, including N-fused [24]pentaphyrin 3, [28]hexaphyrin 4, [32]heptaphyrin 5, [46]decaphyrin 6, and [56]dodecaphyrin 7, were synthesized by means of an acid-catalyzed one-pot condensation reaction of 2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl)pyrrole (1) as the first examples bearing meso-alkyl substituents. Besides these products, porphyrin 2 and two calix[5]phyrins 8 and 9 were also obtained. [28]Hexaphyrin 4 was quantitatively oxidized to [26]hexaphyrin 14 with MnO(2). These expanded porphyrins have been characterized by mass spectrometry, (1)H and (19)F NMR spectroscopy, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The single-crystal structures have been determined for 3, 4, 6, 7, and 14. The N-fused [24]pentaphyrin 3 displays a distorted structure containing a tricyclic fused moiety that is similar to those of meso-aryl-substituted counterparts, whereas 8 and 9 are indicated to take roughly planar conformations with an inverted pyrrole opposite to the sp(3)-hybridized meso-carbon atom. Both [28]- and [26]hexaphyrins 4 and 14 have figure-of-eight structures. Solid-state structures of the decaphyrin 6 and dodecaphyrin 7 are remarkable, exhibiting a crescent conformation and an intramolecular two-pitch helical conformation, respectively.     

Synthesis of porphyrin dimers fused with a benzene unit

Bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene-connected pyrrolo-porphyrins have been prepared by an inverse-type [3+1] porphyrin synthesis of a bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene-fused dipyrrole with a tripyrrane dicarbaldehyde. Another [3+1] porphyrin synthesis of pyrrole-connected porphyrins with the same or other tripyrrane dicarbaldehydes gave bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene-bridged diporphyrins, the central metals and/or peripheral substituents of which were different. Thermal decomposition of the bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene skeleton to a benzene moiety gave pi-system-fused porphyrin dimers in a highly pure form.     

Fused Corrole Dimers Interconvert between Nonaromatic and Aromatic States through Two‐Electron Redox Reactions

A singly linked corrole dimer was synthesized by condensation of a dipyrromethane‐1‐carbinol with 1,1,2,2‐tetrapyrroethane. Oxidation of the dimer gave doubly linked corrole dimers 9 and 10 as the first examples of fused corrole dimers involving a meso–meso linkage. Dimers 9 and 10 exhibit characteristic ¹H NMR spectra, absorption spectra, excited‐state dynamics, and two‐photon absorption (TPA) values, which indicate the nonaromatic nature of 9 and the aromatic nature of 10 . Interestingly, 9 is fairly stable despite its unusual 2H‐corrole structure, which has been ascribed to the presence of two direct connections between the individual corrole units.     

Porphyrins with exocyclic rings. Part 24. Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of pyrenoporphyrins, potential building blocks for porphyrin molecular wires

Porphyrins with fused pyrene units have been prepared by ‘2+2’ and ‘3+1’ methodologies. Nitration of 1,2,3,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrene, followed by oxidation with DDQ, gave 4-nitropyrene and this condensed with ethyl isocyanoacetate in the presence of DBU or a phosphazene base to generate a pyrenopyrrole ethyl ester. Ester saponification and decarboxylation with KOH in ethylene glycol at 190 °C gave the parent pyreno[4,5-c]pyrrole and this was further condensed with 2 equiv of acetoxymethylpyrroles to afford the corresponding tripyrranes protected at the terminal positions with tert-butyl esters. In a one pot procedure, the ester protective groups were cleaved with TFA and following dilution with dichloromethane, ‘3+1’ condensation with a pyrrole dialdehyde, and dehydrogenation with DDQ, the targeted pyrenoporphyrins were generated in good overall yields. A dialdehyde was also prepared from the pyrenopyrrole intermediate and this reacted to give an opp-dipyrenoporphyrin. The pyrenopyrrole ethyl ester reacted with dimethoxymethane in the presence of an acid catalyst to give a dipyrenopyrrolylmethane, and this was used to prepare an adj-dipyrenoporphyrin using the MacDonald ‘2+2’ approach. The pyrenopyrrole dialdehyde was also used to prepare a porphyrin with fused pyrene and phenanthroline moieties. Although the UV-vis spectra of these new porphyrin systems are unexceptional, pyrenoporphyrins show many of the features necessary for the construction of porphyrin molecular wires.     

Site-Selective N-Methylation of 5,15-Diazaporphyrins: Reactive Cationic Porphyrinoids that Provide Isoporphyrin Analogues

N-Alkylation significantly changes the electronic and optical properties, as well as the reactivity of nitrogen-containing π-conjugated molecules. In this study, it is found that treating 5,15-diazaporphyrins with methyl triflate selectively affords the corresponding N-methyl-5,15-diazaporphyrinium cations in good yield. N-Methylation substantially alters the electronic properties and reactivity of diazaporphyrins. The electron-accepting properties of the N-methyl-5,15-diazaporphyrinium cations are enhanced due to their lowered LUMO level. Stabilization of the LUMO energy enables regio- and stereoselective Diels–Alder reactions of the cationic diazaporphyrin with cyclopentadiene. N-Methylation also enhances the acidity of the inner NH protons, and thus, allows facile deprotonation to provide nitrogen-substituted isoporphyrin analogues with only one NH group in the central cavity.     

Modified expanded corrole-ferrocene conjugates: syntheses, structure and properties

Syntheses, characterization and properties of expanded corrole-ferrocene conjugates are reported. Ferrocenyl group are covalently linked to the corrole macrocycle through three different spacers groups. The synthetic strategy involved prior insertion of ferrocene with spacers to the dipyrromethane unit followed by a "3+2" acid-catalyzed oxidative coupling methodology. The optical and emission data of the expanded corrole-ferrocene conjugates depend on the nature and length of the spacer groups and the maximum effects are seen where ferrocene is directly linked to the meso carbon of macrocycle. The single crystal X-ray structure of two expanded corrole-ferrocene conjugates; [22]pentaphyrin (1.1.0.1.0) with different meso substituents, clearly reveal shortening of the C-C bond length linking the meso carbon and the aryl substituent containing the ferrocene moiety relative to meso aryl substituents without ferrocene. The results suggest that an electronic interaction between the two pi systems. Electrochemical data reveal harder oxidation for the ferrocene unit in the conjugates relative to free ferrocene; this suggests the electron donating nature of the ferrocene. The first corrole ring oxidation shows easier oxidation relative to 1 and the magnitude of shifts in potential is inversely proportional to the length of spacer. The molecular first hyperpolarizabilities (beta) measured at 1064 nm by HRS method vary in the range 20-32x10(-30) esu and imply that the beta values can be increased by enhancing the number of mobile electrons in the conjugation. The conjugates form 1:1 metal complex with the Rh(I) where rhodium is coordinated to one amino and one imino nitrogen of the dipyrromethane unit.     

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.