Incorporation of a Phenanthrene Subunit into a Sapphyrin Framework: Synthesis of Expanded Aceneporphyrinoids

32‐Hetero‐5,6‐dimethoxyphenanthrisapphyrins—macrocycles that link structural features of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons and expanded porphyrins—were obtained in a straightforward [3+1] condensation reaction of dimethoxyphenanthritripyrrane and 2,5‐bis(arylhydroxymethyl)heterocyclopentadienes. The highly folded conformation of formally 4 n π‐electron macrocycles causes them to manifest only limited macrocyclic π conjugation as explored by means of NMR spectroscopic and X‐ray structural analyses, and supported by DFT calculations. Although protonation does not change their π‐conjugation characteristics, the cleavage of ether groups at the phenanthrenylene moiety yields nonaromatic 32‐hetero‐5,6‐dioxophenanthrisapphyrins.     

Reversible Redox Reaction Between Antiaromatic and Aromatic States of 32π‐Expanded Isophlorins

32π‐antiaromatic expanded isophlorins with a varying number of thiophene and furan rings adopt either planar, ring‐inverted, or twisted conformations depending on the number of furan rings in the macrocycle. However, they exhibit identical reactivity with respect to their oxidation to aromatic 30π‐dicationic species under acidic conditions. These 32π‐antiaromatic macrocycles can also be oxidized with [Et₃O⁺SbCl₆^?]and NOBF₄ to generate dications, thus confirming ring oxidation of macrocycles. Furthermore, they can be reduced back to their parent 32π‐antiaromatic state by triethylamine, Zn, or FeCl₂. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed a figure‐eight conformation for a hexafuran system, which opens to a planar structure upon oxidation.     

meso‐3,5‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl‐Substituted Expanded Porphyrins: Synthesis,Characterization, and Optical,Electrochemical, and Photophysical Properties

Trifluoroacetic acid‐catalyzed condensation of pyrrole with electron‐deficient and sterically hindered 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)benzaldehyde results in the unexpected production of a series of meso‐3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl‐substituted expanded porphyrins including [22]sapphyrin 2 , N‐fused [22]pentaphyrin 3 , [26]hexaphyrin 4 , and intact [32]heptaphyrin 5 together with the conventional 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)porphyrin 1 . These expanded porphyrins are characterized by mass spectrometry, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis/NIR absorption spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The optical and electrochemical measurements reveal a decrease in the HOMO–LUMO gap with increasing size of the conjugated macrocycles, and in accordance with the trend, the deactivation of the excited singlet state to the ground state is enhanced.     

Helicenophyrins: Expanded Carbaporphyrins Incorporating Aza[5]helicene and Heptacyclic S‐Shaped Aza[5]helicene Motifs

Incorporation of phenanthrene into a hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.0) frame resulted in intramolecular ring fusion, thus giving rise to chiral helicenophyrins. These molecules contain helicene and porphyrin features by incorporating either an aza[5]helicene or heptacyclic S‐shaped aza[5]helicene.     

Expanded porphyrins: intriguing structures, electronic properties, and reactivities

The chemistry of expanded porphyrins, which are higher homologues of porphyrins, has been intensively explored for the last three decades. Expanded porphyrins exhibit structures, electronic properties, coordination chemistry, and reactivities that are entirely different from those of porphyrins. Through these studies, it has become increasingly apparent that expanded porphyrins are attractive in views of aromaticity and multimetal coordination, or as functional dyes, nonlinear optical materials, ion receptors, or stable organic radicals. As such, we have continuously witnessed the emergence of expanded porphyrins that exhibit unprecedented structures and properties, as is highlighted by the facile realization of Möbius aromatic and even antiaromatic systems with twisted molecular structures. In this Review, the recent progress of the chemistry of expanded porphyrins after the seminal Review by Sessler and Seidel in 2003 is presented.     

Expanded Carbaporphyrinoids

This Review outlines the progress in the field of synthetic expanded carbaporphyrinoids. The evolution of this topic is demonstrated with expanded porphyrin‐inspired systems with a variety of incorporated entities that introduce one or more carbon atoms into the cavity. The discussion starts with platyrins—the macrocycles that were identified as parent molecules of not only the expanded carbaporphyrinoids, but the carbaporphyrinoid class in general. After historic considerations, the plethora of expanded porphyrin‐like macrocycles containing N‐confused or neo‐confused pyrrole motifs and different carbocyclic subunits are presented. Special emphasis is given to applications of expanded carbaporphyrinoids in different areas, including organometallic chemistry, switching systems, or aromaticity, concluding with the demonstration of a covalent cage based on an expanded carbaporphyrinoid.     

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.     

Core‐Modified Analogues of Expanded Porphyrins Containing Rigid β,β′‐Linked o‐Phenylene Bridges

Structural modifications that lead to the creation of π‐extended aromatic macrocyles involving a heterocyclic ring other than pyrrole and rigid β‐β′ linkages have not been well studied up to date. The rigidity caused by the conformational restriction would change the spectroscopic properties of the system as compared with those of the normal congeners. With these considerations, we have synthesized and fully characterized π‐extended, core modified expanded porphyrins bearing rigid bipyrrole units. Core‐modified naphthorubyrins were synthesized by the Lewis acid‐catalyzed condensation of naphthobipyrrole with thiophene/furan diols, whereas naphthosapphyrins were obtained by reacting 2,9‐diformyl‐naphthobipyrrole with 16‐thia/oxatripyrranes under mild reaction conditions. The core‐modified analogues of both naphthorubyrin and naphthosapphyrin displayed the aromatic character. The dithiarubyrin analogues showed a lack of conformational change as expected and displayed well‐resolved ¹H NMR resonances at room temperature. On the other hand, the oxasapphyrin analogue adopts a furan‐inverted geometry, and the ring inversion is independent of the protonation state. The oxanaphthosapphyrin also exhibited a weak fluorescence emission at 613 nm.