Synthesis,Structures, and Optical and Electrochemical Properties of Benzoporphycenes

The first facile syntheses of free‐base di‐ and tetrabenzoporphycenes and their metal complexes are reported, based on retro‐Diels–Alder reactions of the corresponding bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene‐fused porphycenes, prepared by McMurray coupling of α,α′‐diformyldipyrrole. The photophysical and electrochemical properties are analyzed based on UV/Vis absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and fluorescence emission, lifetime and quantum yield measurements, cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry (CV and DPV) and time‐dependent DFT calculations based on B3LYP geometry optimizations. Benzoporphycenes are found to be prime candidates for future use in photodynamic therapy.     

Multiple Fused Anthracenes as Helical Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Motif for Chiroptical Performance Enhancement

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons consisting of three fused anthracene units were designed as new π‐conjugated compounds having helical structures. These expanded helicenes were synthesized by Pt‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of the corresponding ethynyl‐substituted precursors. The nonplanar and helical structure was confirmed by X‐ray analysis and DFT calculations, and the barrier to helical inversion was estimated to be 34 kJ mol^?1. The enantiomers of the diphenyl derivative were successfully resolved by chiral HPLC. Enantiopure samples showed good chiroptical performance in the CD (|Δ?| 1380 L mol^?1 cm^?1) and CPL (|g_lum| 0.013) spectra, and these values were considerably large for simple organic molecules. The unique chiroptical properties are discussed on the basis of the molecular structure and the electronic state with the aid of time‐dependent DFT calculations.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Electrochemistry of the Manganese(I) Complexes of meso‐Substituted [14]Tribenzotriphyrins(2.1.1)

Metalation of 6,13,20,21‐tetraaryl‐22H‐[14]tribenzotriphyrins(2.1.1) (TriP, 1 a – d ) with [Mn(CO)₅Br] provided Mn^I tricarbonyl complexes of [14]tribenzotriphyrins(2.1.1) 2 a – d in 85–93 % yield. The complexes were characterized by mass spectrometry and UV/Vis absorption, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. Single‐crystal X‐ray analyses revealed that 2 b and 2 c adopt bowl‐shaped conformations. The redox properties of [(TriP)Mn^I(CO)₃] ( 2 a – d ) were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Each compound undergoes two reversible one‐electron reductions to form a porphyrin π anion radical and a dianion in CH₂Cl₂. Two oxidation waves were observed, the first of which corresponds to a metal‐centered electron‐transfer process. The redox potentials of 2 a – d are consistent with the optical spectroscopic data and the relatively narrow HOMO–LUMO gaps that were predicted in DFT calculations. The optical spectra can be assigned by using Michl’s perimeter model. TDDFT calculations predict the presence of several metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer bands in the L‐band region between 500 and 700 nm.     

Tetrathiafulvalene‐Fused Porphyrins via Quinoxaline Linkers: Symmetric and Asymmetric Donor–Acceptor Systems

A tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donor is annulated to porphyrins (P) via quinoxaline linkers to form novel symmetric P–TTF–P triads 1 a – c and asymmetric P–TTF dyads 2 a , b in good yields. These planar and extended π‐conjugated molecules absorb light over a wide region of the UV/Vis spectrum as a result of additional charge‐transfer excitations within the donor–acceptor assemblies. Quantum‐chemical calculations elucidate the nature of the electronically excited states. The compounds are electrochemically amphoteric and primarily exhibit low oxidation potentials. Cyclic voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical studies allow differentiation between the TTF and porphyrin sites with respect to the multiple redox processes occurring within these molecular assemblies. Transient absorption measurements give insight into the excited‐state events and deliver corresponding kinetic data. Femtosecond transient absorption spectra in benzonitrile may suggest the occurrence of fast charge separation from TTF to porphyrin in dyads 2 a , b but not in triads 1 a – c . Clear evidence for a photoinduced and relatively long lived charge‐separated state (385 ps lifetime) is obtained for a supramolecular coordination compound built from the ZnP–TTF dyad and a pyridine‐functionalized C₆₀ acceptor unit. This specific excited state results in a (ZnP–TTF)^?+ ??? (C₆₀py)^?? state. The binding constant of Zn^II ??? py is evaluated by constructing a Benesi–Hildebrand plot based on fluorescence data. This plot yields a binding constant K of 7.20×10⁴ M ^?1, which is remarkably high for bonding of pyridine to ZnP.     

Ruthenocene‐Type Complexes of N‐Fused Porphyrins

Ruthenocene‐type hybrid complexes with N‐fused porphyrinato ligands, [Ru(NFp)Cp] (NFp=N‐fused porphyrin, Cp=cyclopentadienyl), have been prepared and characterized by NMR and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, cyclovoltammetry, and X‐ray crystallography. [Ru(NFp)Cp] is a common low‐spin ruthenium(II) complex and shows strong aromaticity. The Ru–Cp distance (1.833 Å) in [Ru(NFp)Cp] is comparable to that in [RuCp₂] (1.840 Å). DFT calculations on [Ru(NFp)Cp] showed the unequivocal contribution of the RuCp moiety as well as the NFp moiety to both the HOMO and LUMO, constructing a three‐dimensional d–π conjugated system. The HOMO–LUMO gaps of [Ru(NFp)Cp] are insensitive to the substituents on the NFp ligand, which is illustrated spectroscopically as well as theoretically. This is in sharp contrast to the ligand precursor, the N‐fused porphyrin, in which the HOMO–LUMO gap is affected by substituents in a similar manner to standard porphyrins and related macrocycles.     

Chirogenesis in Zinc Porphyrins: Theoretical Evaluation of Electronic Transitions,Controlling Structural Factors and Axial Ligation

In the present work, sixteen different zinc porphyrins (possessing different meso substituents) with and without a chiral guest were modelled using DFT and TD-DFT approaches in order to understand the influence of various controlling factors on electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Two major aspects are influenced by these factors: excitation energy of the electronic transitions and their intensity. In the case of excitation energy, the influence increases in the following order: orientation of the peripheral substituents<substituent's nature<axial ligation. However, the deformation of the porphyrin plane does not affect the excitation energies. In the case of intensity, the influence increases as follows: substituent's nature<conrotatory orientation of the peripheral substituents<deformation of the porphyrin plane<disrotatory orientation of the peripheral substituents<axial ligation.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Properties of Near‐Infrared [b]Phenanthrene‐Fused BF2 Azadipyrromethenes

A new class of phenanthrene‐fused BF₂ azadipyrromethene (azaBODIPY) dyes have been synthesized through a tandem Suzuki reaction and oxidative ring‐fusion reaction, or a palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular C−H activation reaction. These phenanthrene‐fused azaBODIPY dyes are highly photostable and display markedly redshifted absorption (up to λ =771 nm) and emission bands (λ ≈800 nm) in the near‐infrared region. DFT calculations and cyclic voltammetry studies indicate that, upon annulation, more pronounced stabilization of the LUMO is the origin of the bathochromic shift of the absorption and high photostability.     

Enantiomer resolution of intrinsically chiral C21-alkylated N-confused porphyrin complexes

The resolution of stereoisomers of C21‐alkylated nickel(II) complexes of N‐confused porphyrin (NCP) was performed by means of chiral‐phase HPLC with an effectiveness of above 90 % molar ratio for each isomer. The reverse signs of the Cotton effects in the circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the separated fractions are indicative of the pair of enantiomers. The application of low‐temperature 2D NMR methods to the separated diastereomers of the system comprising a chiral 2‐(S)‐methylbutyl substituent, in connection with the CD spectra and relative HPLC migration rates, allowed the assignment of the absolute configuration of the chiral C21‐substituted complexes of NCP. The assignment was confirmed by time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations of CD spectra for the C21‐methylated nickel(II) complex. The system remains chiral after removal of the metal ion from the macrocyclic crevice, despite the fact that this demetalation is connected with a change of the C21 hybridization from pyramidal to trigonal. The retention of chirality was established by means of CD spectra and confirmed by TDDFT calculations for a C21‐methylated NCP free base. Stereoisomers were also separated for three covalently linked bis(NCP) systems with bridges involving one or two C21 carbon atoms. The occurrence of a pair of enantiomers was established for nonsymmetrical dimers comprising only one stereogenic center. In the case of the 21,21′‐(o‐xylene)‐linked dimer, three stereoisomers, that is, a pair of enantiomers and an optically inactive meso‐form, were separated and analyzed by CD and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The stereoisomers of a diastereoselectively formed nonsymmetrical chloroplatinum(II)‐linked dimer, consisting of heterochiral C21‐alkylated NCP nickel(II) subunits, after separation displayed a strong optical activity, which can be ascribed to the rigid helical structure of the complex.     

Macrocyclic Transformations from Norrole to Isonorrole and an N‐Confused Corrole with a Fused Hexacyclic Ring System Triggered by a Pyrrole Substituent

Three kinds of fused porphyrinoids, L2 – L4 , possessing different types of corrole‐based frameworks were synthesized from a pyrrole‐substituted corrole isomer (norrole L1 ). Oxidation of L1 afforded a unique N‐C_meso‐fused pyrrolyl isonorrole L2 , involving the fusion of an auxiliary pyrrolic NH moiety with a meso‐sp³‐hybridized carbon atom. Subsequently, L2 underwent macrocycle transformations to give singly and doubly N‐C_Ar‐fused N‐confused corroles, L3 and L4 , respectively. L3 and L4 contain fused [5.7.6.5]‐tetra‐ and [5.6.7.7.6.5]‐hexacyclic structures, respectively, prepared through lateral annulation. These skeletal transformation reactions from norrole to its isomer isonorrole and finally to N‐confused corrole indicate that multiply fused porphyrinoids could be readily synthesized from pyrrole‐appended confused porphyrinoids.     

Application of MCD spectroscopy and TD-DFT to nonplanar core-modified tetrabenzoporphyrins: effect of reduced symmetry on nonplanar porphyrinoids

The optical spectra of a series of core-modified tetrabenzoporphyrins were analyzed to determine the effects of core modification, ligand folding, and partial benzo substitution at the ligand periphery on the electronic structure by using magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry, and TD-DFT calculations. Planar 21-carba-, 21-thia-, 21,23-dithia-, and 21-oxa-23-thiatetrabenzo[b,g,l,q]porphyrins reported previously were studied together with the previously unreported 21-oxa- and 21-carba-23-thiatetrabenzo[b,g,l,q]porphyrins. The optical properties of these compounds are compared to those of tetrabenzo[b,g,l,q]-, 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-, 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyltetrabenzo[b,g,l,q]-21-thia-, 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyltetrabenzodithia-, 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyldibenzo[g,q]-21,23-dithia-, 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyldibenzo[b,l]-21,23-dithia-, 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyltribenzo[g,q,l]-21-thia-, and 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylbenzo[b]-21-thiaporphyrins. Michl's perimeter model and Gouterman's four-orbital model are used to conceptualize the results and to account for red shifts commonly observed in the spectral bands of nonplanar porphyrinoids.     

Linquats: Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Linear Extended Diquats

We report an innovative synthetic route to linear extended diquats (linquats). Our approach is short and efficient and features a highly modular reaction sequence based on two‐fold quaternization followed by the key intramolecular [2+2+2] alkyne cycloaddition. The physico‐chemical properties of four new linquats were characterized by spectroscopic methods, X‐ray crystallography, and electrochemistry complemented by information obtained from DFT calculations. Electron deficient N‐heteroaromatic cations with linear extended diquat motif with high electron affinities have been recently recognized as attractive n‐type semiconductors for chemical and biological sensing. Their advantageous redox properties such as very fast reversible electron transfers make the title compounds interesting for applications.     

Acenaphthylene‐Fused Cyclo[8]pyrroles with Intense Near‐IR‐Region Absorption Bands

An acenaphthylene‐fused cyclo[8]pyrrole was synthesized by using an oxidative coupling reaction of the corresponding 2,2′‐bipyrrole. Two conformational isomers 1 a and 1 b were isolated, and their molecular structures were elucidated by X‐ray crystallographic studies. The less‐polar and lower‐symmetry 1 b isomer can be converted into the 1 a isomer through a thermal ring flip. Application of the perimeter model developed by Michl to magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopic data and theoretical calculations demonstrate that there is a marked redshift of the near‐IR absorption maxima relative to cyclo[8]isoindole because there is a significant stabilization of the LUMO due to the differing effects of a fused ring expansion with acenaphthylene and benzene moieties on the frontier π molecular orbitals.     

Nickel(II) meso‐Hydroxyporphyrin Complexes Revisited: Palladium‐Catalysed Synthesis,Electronic Structures of Derived Oxy Radicals,and Oxidative Coupling to a Dioxoporphodimethene Dyad

We report the synthesis and characterisation of new examples of meso‐hydroxynickel(II) porphyrins with 5,15‐diphenyl and 10‐phenyl‐5,15‐diphenyl/diaryl substitution. The OH group was introduced by using carbonate or hydroxide as nucleophile by using palladium/phosphine catalysis. The NiPor?OHs exist in solution in equilibrium with the corresponding oxy radicals NiPor?O^.. The 15‐phenyl group stabilises the radicals, so that the ¹H NMR spectra of {NiPor?OH} are extremely broad due to chemical exchange with the paramagnetic species. The radical concentration for the diphenylporphyrin analogue is only 1 %, and its NMR line‐broadening was able to be studied by variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopy. The EPR signals of NiPor?O^. are consistent with somewhat delocalised porphyrinyloxy radicals, and the spin distributions calculated by using density functional theory match the EPR and NMR spectroscopic observations. Nickel(II) meso‐hydroxy‐10,20‐diphenylporphyrin was oxidatively coupled to a dioxo‐terminated porphodimethene dyad, the strongly red‐shifted electronic spectrum of which was successfully modelled by using time‐dependent DFT calculations.     

Electronic Transitions in Conformationally Controlled Peralkylated Hexasilanes

The photophysical properties of oligosilanes show unique conformational dependence due to σ‐electron delocalization. The excited states of the SAS, AAS, and AEA conformations of peralkylated n‐hexasilanes, in which the SiSiSiSi dihedral angles are controlled into a syn (S), anti (A), or eclipsed (E) conformation, were investigated by using UV absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and linear dichroism spectroscopy. Simultaneous Gaussian fitting of all three spectra identified a minimal set of transitions and the wavenumbers, oscillator strengths, and MCD B terms in all three compounds. The results compare well with those obtained by using the symmetry‐adapted‐cluster configuration interaction method and almost as well with those obtained by time‐dependent density functional theory with the PBE0 functional. The conformational dependence of the transition energies and other properties of free‐chain permethylated n‐hexasilane, n‐Si₆Me₁₄, was also examined as a function of dihedral angles, and the striking effects found were attributed to avoided crossings between configurations of σσ* and σπ* character.     

A Metal‐Bridged Tricyclic Aromatic System: Synthesis of Osmium Polycyclic Aromatic Complexes

Aromaticity is one of the most important concepts in organic chemistry. A variety of metalla‐aromatic compounds have been recently prepared and in most of those examples, the metal participates only in a monocyclic ring. In contrast, metal‐bridged bicyclic aromatic molecules, in which a metal is shared between two aromatic rings, have been less developed. Herein, we report the first metal‐bridged tricyclic aromatic system, in which the metal center is shared by three aromatic five‐membered rings. These metalla‐aromatics are formed by reaction between osmapentalyne and arene nucleophiles. Experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that the three five‐membered rings around the osmium center are aromatic. In addition, the broad absorption bands in the UV/Vis absorption spectra of these novel aromatic systems cover almost the entire visible region. This straightforward synthetic strategy may be extended to the synthesis of other metal‐bridged polycyclic aromatics.     

A Directly Fused Subporphyrin Dimer with a Wavelike Structure

[Ni(cod)₂]‐mediated intramolecular reductive coupling of β–β′ linked meso,meso′‐dibromosubporphyrin dimer gave the anti‐isomer of meso–meso′, β–β′ doubly linked subporphyrin dimer as the first example of a fused subporphyrin dimer. The fused dimer 3 _anti displays an wavelike coplanar structure, a perturbed and red‐shifted absorption spectrum, reversible redox behaviors with a decreased electrochemical HOMO–LUMO band gap, and a short S₁‐state lifetime owing to the delocalized π‐electronic network.     

Synthesis and Properties of Fused‐Ring‐Expanded Porphyrins that were Core‐Modified with Group 16 Heteroatoms

The synthesis of a series of novel core‐modified and fused‐ring‐expanded tetraphenylporphyrins is reported. Theoretical calculations and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and fluorescence spectroscopic measurements were used to analyze the effect of core modification with Group 16 oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium atoms on the optical properties and electronic structures of the porphyrins. Marked redshifts of the Q and B bands and accelerated intersystem‐crossing rates were observed, thus making these compounds potentially suitable for use in a variety of applications. The scope for further fine‐tuning of these optical properties based on additional structural modifications, such as the incorporation of fused benzene rings to form ABAB structures by using a thiophene precursor with a fused bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene ring and the introduction of various substituents onto the meso‐phenyl rings, is also examined.     

Twisted Polycyclic Aromatic Systems Prepared by Annulation of Bis(arylethynyl)arenes with Biphenylboronic Acids

Twisted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were prepared by the successive rhodium‐catalyzed annulation and dehydrogenative cyclization of bis(arylethynyl)arenes with di‐tert‐butylbiphenyl‐2‐ylboronic acid. The molecular structures of the PAHs were determined by single‐crystal XRD analysis. The PAHs showed up to four fjord regions, and the twisting angle was 46.7°. The nonplanarity (NP) and harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) were calculated by using the structural data obtained from XRD analysis. The PAHs derived from dialkynyl naphthalenes showed low planarity and HOMA of the central ring. The optical properties of the PAHs were investigated by UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy analyses. The absorption and emission maxima of the PAHs with a larger planar region appeared at a longer wavelength. DFT calculations support that the absorption band at λ≈450 nm can be mainly attributed to the HOMO–LUMO transition.     

Cobalt(II) Porphyrin‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclopropanation of N‐Alkyl Indoles/Pyrroles with Alkylcarbene: Efficient Synthesis of Polycyclic N‐Heterocycles

A protocol on chemoselective cobalt(II) porphyrin‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclopropanation of N‐alkyl indoles/pyrroles with alkylcarbenes has been developed. The reaction enables the rapid construction of a range of nitrogen‐containing polycyclic compounds in moderate to high yields from readily accessible materials. These N‐containing polycyclic compounds can be converted into a variety of N‐heterocycles with potential synthetic and biological interest. Compared to their N‐tosylhydrazone counterparts, the use of bulky N‐2,4,6‐triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl hydrazones as carbene precursors allows cyclopropanation to occur under milder reaction conditions.     

Metal‐Free Allene‐Based Synthesis of Enantiopure Fused Polycyclic Sultones

The controlled metal‐free preparation of fused δ‐sultone derivatives has been developed starting from hydroxyallenynes. The use of 2‐(3,3‐diethyltriaz‐1‐enyl)‐4‐methylbenzene‐1‐sulfonyl chloride in a sulfonylation/rearrangement sequence gives access to 1,3‐dien‐2‐yl arenesulfonates. These functionalized enynes suffered a direct cyclization/desaturation radical cascade, allowing the synthesis of a variety of enynyl [1,2]oxathiine 1,1‐dioxides. Stereoselective cyclization of the readily formed core through intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction has also been demonstrated, affording β‐lactam‐ and glucofuranoside‐fused δ‐sultone polycycles. These selective reactions have been studied experimentally and additionally, their reaction mechanisms have been investigated computationally by means of density functional theory calculations.