SiIV Incorporation into a [28]Hexaphyrin That Triggered Formation of Möbius Aromatic Molecules

Incorporation of Si^IV into an expanded porphyrin has been achieved for the first time. Treatment of [28]hexaphyrin 1 with CH₃SiCl₃ and N,N‐diisopropylethylamine gave Si^IV complex 2 and its N‐fused product 4 that both have Möbius aromatic nature. In both complexes, the coordinated Si atom is satisfied in a typical trigonal bipyramidal coordination. Si^IV incorporation induces conformational rigidification and redshifted absorption profiles due to σ–π conjugation between the Si atom and hexaphyrin macrocycle. Tamao–Fleming oxidation of 2 with H₂O₂ gave β‐hydroxy [28]hexaphyrin 5 , which exists as a ruffled rectangular shape in the solid state, yet it has been revealed to exist predominantly as a twisted Möbius aromatic conformer in CH₂Cl₂.     

Viability of Möbius Topologies in [26]‐ and [28]Hexaphyrins

Recently, hexaphyrins have emerged as a promising class of π‐conjugated molecules that display a range of interesting electronic, optical, and conformational properties, including the formation of stable Möbius aromatic systems. Besides the Möbius topology, hexaphyrins can adopt a variety of conformations with Hückel and twisted Hückel topologies, which can be interconverted under certain conditions. To determine the optimum conditions for viable Möbius topologies, the conformational preferences of [26]‐ and [28]hexaphyrins and the dynamic interconversion between the Möbius and Hückel topologies were investigated by density functional calculations. In the absence of meso substituents, [26]hexaphyrin prefers a planar dumbbell conformation, strongly aromatic and relatively strain free. The Möbius topology is highly improbable: the most stable tautomer is 33 kcal mol^?1 higher in energy than the global minimum. On the other hand, the Möbius conformer of [28]hexaphyrin is only 6.5 kcal mol^?1 higher in energy than the most stable dumbbell conformation. This marked difference is due to aromatic stabilization in the Möbius 4n electron macrocycle as opposed to antiaromatic destabilization in the 4n+2 electron system, as revealed by several energetic, magnetic, structural, and reactivity indices of aromaticity. For [28]hexaphyrins, the computed activation barrier for interconversion between the Möbius aromatic and Hückel antiaromatic conformers ranges from 7.2 to 10.2 kcal mol^?1, in very good agreement with the available experimental data. The conformation of the hexaphyrin macrocycle is strongly dependent on oxidation state and solvent, and this feature creates a promising platform for the development of molecular switches.     

[32]π Fused Core‐Modified Heptaphyrin with Möbius Aromaticity

A new fused core‐modified 32π heptaphyrin with Möbius aromatic character is reported. The ¹H NMR data indicated a weak Möbius aromaticity at 298 K; however, at 213–183 K, the molecule predominates [4n]π Möbius conformation with strong diatropic ring current, which was further confirmed by X‐ray analysis. The protonation experiment led to preservation of the Möbius aromaticity at 298 K. Nevertheless, the experimental results were further supported by theoretical studies. Overall, this study represents the first example of Möbius aromatic fused core‐modified expanded porphyrin.     

Möbius Aromatic Core‐Modified Heterocyclic [20] Macrocycles (4.1.1) with a Protruding N‐Methyl Pyrrole Ring

Herein, we report the first synthesis of an unorthodox tripyrrane moiety from the regioselective β‐benzoylation of pyrrole and the acid‐catalyzed condensation of the desired precursors. A [3+1] Mac Donald type condensation strategy for this tripyrrane has led to the exclusive isolation of two hitherto‐unknown aromatic [20] heterocyclic macrocycles (4.1.1).     

Doubly N‐Fused [24]Pentaphyrin Silicon Complex and Its Fluorosilicate: Enhanced Möbius Aromaticity in the Fluorosilicate

Treatment of nonaromatic N‐fused [24]pentaphyrin with trichloromethylsilane in the presence of a base afforded doubly N‐fused [24]pentaphyrin and its silicon complex. Addition of fluoride ion to the silicon complex led to the formation of its fluorosilicate as an unprecedented monoanionic six‐coordinated Si^IV complex of porphyrinoid. Treatment of the fluorosilicate with acid led to the recovery of the silicon complex. The doubly N‐fused pentaphyrin, the silicon complex, and the fluorosilicate were all characterized as distinct Möbius aromatic molecules by spectroscopic measurements and X‐ray crystallographic analyses. Importantly, the second N‐fusion reaction, Si‐incorporation and fluoride addition to the Si‐atom enhanced the aromaticity of doubly N‐fused [24]pentaphyrins in this order. Tamao–Fleming oxidation of the silicon complex gave β‐keto doubly N‐fused pentaphyrin and triply fused [24]pentaphyrin, which were nonaromatic and Hückel anti‐aromatic, respectively.