Antimony Complexes for Electrocatalysis: Activity of a Main‐Group Element in Proton Reduction

Main‐group complexes are shown to be viable electrocatalysts for the H₂‐evolution reaction (HER) from acid. A series of antimony porphyrins with varying axial ligands were synthesized for electrocatalysis applications. The proton‐reduction catalytic properties of TPSb(OH)₂ (TP=5,10,15,20‐tetra(p ‐tolyl)porphyrin) with two axial hydroxy ligands were studied in detail, demonstrating catalytic H₂ production. Experiments, in conjunction with quantum chemistry calculations, show that the catalytic cycle is driven via the redox activity of both the porphyrin ligand and the Sb center. This study brings insight into main group catalysis and the role of redox‐active ligands during catalysis.     

A general method for constructing optically active supramolecular assemblies from intrinsically achiral water-insoluble free-base porphyrins

We have developed a general method to construct optically active porphyrin supramolecular assemblies by using a simple air-water interfacial assembly process. The method involved the in situ diprotonation of the free-base porphyrins at the air-water interface and subsequent assembly under compression. We showed that two intrinsically achiral water-insoluble free-base porphyrin derivatives, 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-21H,23H-porphine (H(2)OEP) and 5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolyl-21H,23H-porphine (H(2)TPPMe), could be diprotonated when spread onto a 2.4 M hydrochloric acid solution surface, and the Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) films fabricated from the subphase exhibited strong circular dichroism (CD) absorption, whereas those fabricated from pure Milli-Q water subphase did not. The experimental data suggested that the helical stacking of the achiral porphyrin building blocks was responsible for the supramolecular chirality of the assemblies. Interestingly, such a method was successfully applied to a series of other intrinsically achiral free-base porphyrins such as 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (H(2)TPPOMe), 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphine (H(2)TPP), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-(allyloxy)phenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (H(2)TPPOA), and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (H(2)TPPDOMe). A possible mechanism has been proposed. The method provides a facile way to obtain optically active porphyrin supramolecular assemblies by using intrinsically achiral water-insoluble free-base porphyrin derivatives.     

Square‐grid coordination networks of (5,10,15,20‐tetra‐4‐pyridylporphyrinato)zinc(II) in its clathrate with two guest molecules of 1,2‐dichlorobenzene: supramolecular isomerism of the porphyrin self‐assembly

The title compound, (5,10,15,20‐tetra‐4‐pyridylporphyrinato)zinc(II) 1,2‐dichlorobenzene disolvate, [Zn(C₄₀H₂₄N₈)]·2C₆H₄Cl₂, contains a clathrate‐type structure. It is composed of two‐dimensional square‐grid coordination networks of the self‐assembled porphyrin moiety, which are stacked one on top of the other in a parallel manner. The interporphyrin cavities of the overlapping networks combine into channel voids accommodated by the dichlorobenzene solvent. Molecules of the porphyrin complex are located on crystallographic inversion centres. The observed two‐dimensional assembly mode of the porphyrin units represents a supramolecular isomer of the unique three‐dimensional coordination frameworks of the same porphyrin building block observed earlier. The significance of this study lies in the discovery of an additional supramolecular isomer of the rarely observed structures of metalloporphyrins self‐assembled directly into extended coordination polymers without the use of external ligand or metal ion auxiliaries.     

Antimony Complexes for Electrocatalysis: Activity of a Main-Group Element in Proton Reduction

Main-group complexes are shown to be viable electrocatalysts for the H₂-evolution reaction (HER) from acid. A series of antimony porphyrins with varying axial ligands were synthesized for electrocatalysis applications. The proton-reduction catalytic properties of TPSb(OH)₂ (TP=5,10,15,20-tetra(p-tolyl)porphyrin) with two axial hydroxy ligands were studied in detail, demonstrating catalytic H₂ production. Experiments, in conjunction with quantum chemistry calculations, show that the catalytic cycle is driven via the redox activity of both the porphyrin ligand and the Sb center. This study brings insight into main group catalysis and the role of redox-active ligands during catalysis.     

Chirality amplification of porphyrin assemblies exclusively constructed from achiral porphyrin derivatives.

Two achiral porphyrin derivatives, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (TPPOMe) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (TPPOH), were spread onto an air/water interface. The spreading films were transferred onto solid substrates by the Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) method. Although both of the porphyrin derivatives are achiral species, the transferred LS multilayer films shows macroscopic supramolecular chirality, which is suggested to be due to the spontaneous symmetry breaking that occurs at the air/water interface. A strong CD signal is observed from the as-deposited TPPOH LS film, while a relatively weak CD signal is detected from that of TPPOMe. Interestingly, when the TPPOMe LS film was annealed in high vacuum, a significant amplification of the supramolecular chirality is observed. Atomic force microscopy observations confirm that TPPOMe form more ordered aggregates upon annealing. It is suggested that the small amount of chiral assemblies formed in the as-deposited LS film grow into larger ones following the "sergeants and soldiers" principle during the annealing process.     

Effect of axial ligands and macrocyclic structure on redox potentials and electron-transfer mechanisms of SnIV porphyrins

The electrochemical properties of dichloro- and dihydroxo-SnIV porphyrins with three different macrocycles were examined in CH2Cl2 containing 0.1 or 0.2 M tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte. The investigated compounds are represented as (TPP)SnX2, (P)Sn(X)2, and (PQ)Sn(X)2, where TPP = 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin, P = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrin, PQ = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)quinoxalino[2,3-b']porphyrin, and X = Cl or OH. Each porphyrin can be electroreduced in two one-electron-transfer steps with the half-wave potentials and stability of the eletroreduced compounds being dependent upon the type of coordinated axial ligand and specific macrocyclic structure. All reductions of (TPP)Sn(OH)2, (P)Sn(OH)2, and (PQ)Sn(OH)2 are reversible under the given experimental conditions and lead to the expected porphyrin pi-anion radicals and dianions, which were characterized by thin-layer UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry. This contrasts with what occurs upon the reduction of (PQ)SnCl2, which undergoes a chemical reaction with trace H2O in solution, leading to the formation of (PQ)Sn(OH)2 as well as to a protonated form of the quinoxalinoporphyrin, (PQH)Sn(OH)2, under the application of an applied potential. A protonation of the Q group breaks the conjugation between the fused quinoxaline unit and the porphyrin macrocycle, thus effectively giving a compound whose reduction properties resemble that of the metalloporphyrin in the absence of the fused ring. The electrooxidation of each neutral SnIV porphyrin was also investigated, and the effect of axial ligand and fused quinoxaline ring on the redox potentials and products of electron transfer are discussed.     

Exploring Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Tetraarylporphyrins by Halogen Bonding: Crystal Engineering with Diversely Functionalized Six‐Coordinate Tin(L)2–Porphyrin Tectons

This study targets the construction of porphyrin assemblies directed by halogen bonds, by utilizing a series of purposely synthesized Sn(axial ligand)₂–(5,10,15,20‐tetraarylporphyrin) [Sn(L)₂‐TArP] complexes as building units. The porphyrin moiety and the axial ligands in these compounds contain different combinations of complimentary molecular recognition functions. The former bears p‐iodophenyl, p‐bromophenyl, 4′‐pyridyl, or 3′‐pyridyl substituents at the meso positions of the porphyrin ring. The latter comprises either a carboxylate or hydroxy anchor for attachment to the porphyrin‐inserted tin ion and a pyridyl‐, benzotriazole‐, or halophenyl‐type aromatic residue as the potential binding site. The various complexes were structurally analyzed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, accompanied by computational modeling evaluations. Halogen‐bonding interactions between the lateral aryl substituents of one unit of the porphyrin complex and the axial ligands of neighboring moieties was successfully expressed in several of the resulting samples. Their occurrence is affected by structural (for example, specific geometry of the six‐coordinate complexes) and electronic effects (for example, charge densities and electrostatic potentials). The shortest intermolecular I???N halogen‐bonding distance of 2.991 Å was observed between iodophenyl (porphyrin) and benzotriazole (axial ligand) moieties. Manifestation of halogen bonds in these relatively bulky compounds without further activation of the halophenyl donor groups by electron‐withdrawing substituents is particularly remarkable.     

Formation of a Fluorous/Organic Biphasic Supramolecular Octopus Assembly for Enhanced Porphyrin Phosphorescence in Air

The trinuclear triangle‐shaped system [tris{3,5‐bis(heptafluoropropyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolatosilver(I)}] ( 1 ) and the multi‐armed square‐shaped metalloporphyrin PtOEP or the free porphyrin base H₂OEP serve as excellent octopus hosts (OEP=2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18‐octaethyl‐21H,23H‐porphine). Coupling of the fluorous/organic molecular octopi 1 and H₂OEP or PtOEP by strong quadrupole–quadrupole and metal–π interactions affords the supramolecular assemblies [ 1 ?PtOEP] or [ 1 ?H₂OEP] ( 2 a ), which feature nanoscopic cavities surrounding the upper triangular and lower square cores. The fluorous/organic biphasic configuration of [ 1 ?PtOEP] leads to an increase in the phosphorescence of PtOEP under ambient conditions. Guest molecules can be included in the biphasic double‐octopus assembly in three different site‐selective modes.     

Metalloporphyrin–polyelectrolyte assemblies in aqueous solution: Influence of the metal center and the polyelectrolyte architecture

This study investigates the influence of different metal centers in porphyrins and of different polyelectrolyte architectures on the formation of supramolecular metalloporphyrin–polyelectrolyte assemblies in aqueous solution via electrostatic self‐assembly. Metal‐analogues of the tetravalent anionic meso‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)‐porphyrin (with Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn³⁺, and Fe³⁺) are combined with the cationic dendrimer of generation 4 or with the linear polydiallyldimethyl‐ammoniumchloride. Dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy reveal that the different molecular geometries of the metalloporphyrins resulting from axial ligands determine the size and the stability of the aggregates. A thermodynamic study elucidates the importance of the polymer architecture in controlling the size of the assembly and the role of the metal center. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 484–500     

Supramolecular Porphyrin‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks with Fullerenes: Crystal Structures and Preferential Intercalation of C70

The syntheses and characterization of two new porphyrin‐based metal–organic frameworks (P‐MOFs), through the complexation of 5,10,15,20‐tetra‐4‐pyridyl‐21 H,23 H‐porphine (H₂TPyP) and copper(II) acetate (CuAcO) in the presence of the fullerenes C₆₀ or C₇₀ are reported. Complex 1 was synthesized in conjunction with C₆₀, and this reaction produced a two‐dimensional (2D) porous structure with the composition CuAcO‐CuTPyP?m‐dichlorobenzene (m‐DCB), in which C₆₀ molecules were not intercalated. Complex 2 was synthesized in the presence of C₇₀, generating a three‐dimensional (3D) porous structure, in which C₇₀ was intercalated, with the composition CuAcO‐CuTPyP?C₇₀?m‐DCB?CHCl₃. The structures of these materials were determined by X‐ray diffraction to identify the supramolecular interactions that lead to 2D and 3D crystal packing motifs. When a combination of C₆₀ and C₇₀ was employed, C₇₀ was found to be preferentially intercalated between the porphyrins.     

Thermochemistry of solution of some quaternized derivatives of tetra(4-pyridyl)porphine in water

Quaternized tetra(4-pyridyl)porphine derivatives: tetra(N-carboxymethyl-4-pyridyl)porphine tetrachloride, tetra(N-carboxymethyl-4-pyridyl)porphine tetrabromide, tetra(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphine tetraiodide, and tetra(N-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-4-pyridyl)porphine tetrachloride, were synthesized, isolated, and purified. The enthalpies of solution of these compounds in water at 298.15 K were determined calorimetrically. The effect of functional substituents in porphyrin ligands on the enthalpies of solution is discussed.     

A five‐coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complex including a neutral axial pyridine N‐oxide ligand

While six‐coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complexes with pyridine N‐oxides as axial ligands have been studied as they exhibit rare spin‐crossover behavior, studies of five‐coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complexes including neutral axial ligands are rare. A five‐coordinate pyridine N‐oxide–5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrinate–iron(III) complex, namely (pyridine N‐oxide‐κO)(5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphinato‐κ⁴N,N′,N′′,N′′′)iron(III) hexafluoroantimonate(V) dichloromethane disolvate, [Fe(C₄₄H₂₈N₄)(C₅H₅NO)][SbF₆]·2CH₂Cl₂, was isolated and its crystal structure determined in the space group P. The porphyrin core is moderately saddled and the Fe—O—N bond angle is 122.08 (13)°. The average Fe—N bond length is 2.03 Å and the Fe—ONC₅H₅ bond length is 1.9500 (14) Å. This complex provides a rare example of a five‐coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complex that is coordinated to a neutral organic ligand through an O‐monodentate binding mode.     

A ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complex with a weakly bonded methanol ligand

The title di­phenyl­carbene porphyrin complex (di­phenyl­carbenyl‐κC)(methanol‐κO)(5,10,15,20‐tetra‐p‐tolyl­por­phy­rin­ato‐κ⁴N)ruthenium(II) methanol solvate, [Ru­(C₁₃H₁₀)(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)(CH₄O)]·CH₄O, has a six‐coordinate Ru atom with a methanol mol­ecule as the second axial ligand. The carbene fragment is slightly distorted from an ideal sp² configuration, with a C(phenyl)—C(carbene)—C(phenyl) angle of 112.2 (3)°. The Ru—C bond length of 1.845 (3) Å is comparable with other carbene complexes. The two phenyl rings of the carbene ligand are perpendicular to the carbene plane. Methanol solvate mol­ecules link the methanol ligands of adjacent porphyrin complexes via hydrogen bonds.     

On‐Surface Evolution of meso‐Isomerism in Two‐Dimensional Supramolecular Assemblies

Chiral structures created through the adsorption of molecules onto achiral surfaces play pivotal roles in many fields of science and engineering. Here, we present a systematic study of a novel chiral phenomenon on a surface in terms of organizational chirality, that is, meso‐isomerism, through coverage‐driven hierarchical polymorphic transitions of supramolecular assemblies of highly symmetric π‐conjugated molecules. Four coverage‐dependent phases of dehydrobenzo[12]annulene were uniformly fabricated on Ag(111), exhibiting unique chiral characteristics from the single‐molecule level to two‐dimensional supramolecular assemblies. All coverage‐driven phase transitions stem from adsorption‐induced pseudo‐diastereomerism, and our observation of a lemniscate‐type (∞) supramolecular configuration clearly reveals a drastic chiral phase transition from an enantiomeric chiral domain to a meso‐isomeric achiral domain. These findings provide new insights into controlling two‐dimensional chiral architectures on surfaces.     

The trans influence of the pyridine ligand on ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes

In the two ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes ­(di­benzoyl­carbenyl‐κC)(pyridine‐κN)(5,10,15,20‐tetra‐p‐tolyl­porphyrinato‐κ⁴N)­ruthenium(II), [Ru(C₁₅H₁₀O₂)(C₅H₅N)(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)], (I), and (pyridine‐κN)(5,10,15,20‐tetra‐p‐tolyl­porphyrinato‐κ⁴N)[bis(3‐tri­fluoro­methyl­phenyl)­carbenyl‐κC]­ruthenium(II), [Ru(C₁₅H₈F₆)(C₅H₅N)(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)], (II), the pyridine ligand coordinates to the octahedral Ru atom trans with respect to the carbene ligand. The C(carbene)—Ru—N(pyridine) bonds in (I) coincide with a crystallographic twofold axis. The Ru—C bond lengths of 1.877 (8) and 1.868 (3) Å in (I) and (II), respectively, are slightly longer than those of other ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes, owing to the trans influence of the pyridine ligands.     

Crystallographic identification of a series of manganese porphyrin complexes with nitrogenous bases

Studying the axial ligation behavior of metalloporphyrins with nitrogenous bases helps to better understand not only the biological function of heme‐based protein systems, but also the catalytic properties of porphyrin‐based reaction sites in other biomimetic synthetic support environments. Unlike iron porphyrin complexes, little is known about the axial ligation behavior of Mn porphyrins, particularly in the solid state with Mn in the +3 oxidation state. Here, we present the syntheses and crystal and molecular structures of three new high‐spin manganese(III) porphyrin complexes with the different amine‐based axial ligands imidazole (im), piperidine (pip), and 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), namely bis(imidazole)(5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrinato)manganese(III) chloride chloroform disolvate, [Mn(C₄₄H₂₈N₄)(C₃H₄N₂)₂]Cl·2CHCl₃ or [Mn(TPP)(im)₂]Cl·2CHCl₃ (TPP = 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrin), (I), bis(piperidine)(5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrinato)manganese(III) chloride, [Mn(C₄₄H₂₈N₄)(C₅H₁₁N)₂]Cl or [Mn(TPP)(pip)₂]Cl, (II), and chlorido(1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane)(5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrin)manganese(III)–1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane–toluene–water (4/4/4/1), [Mn(C₄₄H₂₈N₄)Cl(C₆H₁₂N₂)]·C₆H₁₂N₂·C₇H₈·0.25H₂O or [Mn(TPP)Cl(DABCO)]·(DABCO)·(toluene)·0.25H₂O, (IV). A fourth complex, chlorido(pyridine)(5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphryinato)manganese(III) pyridine disolvate, [Mn(C₄₄H₂₈N₄)Cl(C₅H₅N)]·2C₅H₅N or [Mn(TPP)Cl(py)]·2(py), (III), acquired using different crystallization methods from published data, is also reported and compared to the previous structures.     

Controlled Formation of Fluorescent Metalloporphyrin‐Containing Coordination Polymer Particles from Seed Structures by Designed Shape‐Transformation Reactions

Herein, nanorod structures and four‐leaf clover structures of fluorescent zinc 5,10,15,20‐tetra(4‐pyridyl)‐21H,23H‐porphine (ZnTPyP)‐containing coordination polymer particles (CPPs) were first synthesized by a bottom‐up strategy assisted by surfactants and then employed as seed structures for further shape‐transformation reactions. We have successfully designed the morphological transformation for different dimensions, achieving the controlled formation of octahedron structures at both the nanometer scale and micrometer scale from the seed structures. Our approach illustrates a new method to design and synthesize metalloporphyrin‐containing CPPs in a systematic and controllable manner.     

DFT and Empirical Considerations on Electrocatalytic Water/Carbon Dioxide Reduction by CoTMPyP in Neutral Aqueous Solutions**

A combined experimental and density functional theory (DFT) investigation was employed in order to examine the mechanism of electrochemical CO₂ reduction and H₂ formation from water reduction in neutral aqueous solutions. A water soluble cobalt porphyrin, cobalt [5,10,15,20-(tetra-N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin], (CoTMPyP), was used as catalyst. The possible attachment of different axial ligands as well as their effect on the electrocatalytic cycles were examined. A cobalt porphyrin hydride is a key intermediate which is generated after the initial reduction of the catalyst. The hydride is involved in the formation of H₂ and formate and acts as an indirect proton source for the formation of CO in these H⁺-starving conditions. The experimental results are in agreement with the computations and give new insights into electrocatalytic mechanisms involving water soluble metalloporphyrins. We conclude that in addition to the porphyrin's structure and metal ion center, the electrolyte surroundings play a key role in dictating the products of CO₂/H₂O reduction.     

Unsolvated 5,10,15,20‐tetra‐4‐pyridylporphyrin,its sesquihydrate and its 2‐chlorophenol disolvate: conformational versatility of the ligand

Unsolvated 5,10,15,20‐tetra‐4‐pyridylporphyrin, C₄₀H₂₆N₈, (I), its sesquihydrate, C₄₀H₂₆N₈·1.514H₂O, (II), and its 2‐chlorophenol disolvate, C₄₀H₂₆N₈·2C₆H₅ClO, (III), reveal different conformational features of the porphyrin core. In (I), the latter is severely deformed from planarity, apparently in order to optimize the intermolecular interactions and efficient crystal packing of the molecular entities. The molecular framework has a C₁ symmetry. In (II), the porphyrin molecules are located on symmetry axes, preserving the marked deformation from planarity of the porphyrin core. The molecular units are interlinked into a single‐framework supramolecular architecture by hydrogen bonding to one another via molecules of water, which lie on twofold rotation axes. In (III), the porphyrin molecules are located across centres of inversion and are characterized by a planar conformation of the 24‐membered macrocyclic porphyrin ring. Two trans‐related pyridyl substituents are hydrogen bonded to the 2‐chlorophenol solvent molecules. The interporphyrin organization in (III) is similar to that observed for many other tetraarylporphyrin compounds. However, the organization observed in (I) and (II) is different and of a type rarely observed before. This study reports for the first time the crystal structure of the unsolvated tetrapyridylporphyrin.     

A Porphyrin‐Based Porous rtl Metal–Organic Framework as an Efficient Catalyst for the Cycloaddition of CO2 to Epoxides

A porous rtl metal–organic framework (MOF) [Mn₅L(H₂O)₆?(DMA)₂]?5DMA?4C₂H₅OH ( 1? Mn) (H₁₀L=5,10,15,20‐tetra(4‐(3,5‐dicarboxylphenoxy)phenyl)porphyrin; DMA=N,N′‐dimethylacetamide) was synthesized by employing a new porphyrin‐based octacarboxylic acid ligand. 1? Mn exhibits high Mn^II density in the porous framework, providing it great Lewis‐acid heterogeneous catalytic capability for the cycloaddition of CO₂ with epoxides. Strikingly, 1? Mn features excellent catalytic activity to the cycloaddition of CO₂ to epoxides, with a remarkable initial turnover frequency 400 per mole of catalyst per hour at 20 atm. As‐synthesized 1? Mn also exhibits size selectivity to different epoxide substrates on account of their steric hindrance. The high catalytic activity, size selectivity, and stability toward the epoxides on catalytic cycloaddition of CO₂ make 1? Mn a promising heterogeneous catalyst for fixation and utilization of CO₂.