Investigation of tightly coupled porphyrin arrays comprised of identical monomers for multibit information storage

Our prior designs for molecular-based information storage devices have employed multiple redox-active units organized in weakly coupled, covalently linked arrays. To explore a simpler design, we report here the synthesis of porphyrin arrays where porphyrins with identical oxidation potentials are directly linked to one another instead of joined via a molecular linker. Oxidative coupling with AgPF(6) of zinc(II)-5,15-bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)-10-phenylporphyrin, obtained by a rational synthesis, afforded the expected dimer joined by a meso-meso linkage and an unexpected trimer joined by meso-meso linkages. For attachment to an electroactive surface we synthesized a meso-linked porphyrin dimer with a thiol-linker in one of the meso positions. The S-acetyl protecting group was used to avoid handling free thiol groups. Coupling of zinc(II)-5,10,15-tris(3, 5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrin ("upper half") and zinc(II)-5-[4-(S-acetylthio)phenyl]-10,20-bis(3, 5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrin ("lower half") afforded three different meso-linked dimers with the desired dimer as the main product. Electrochemical examination of the meso-linked dimer in solution shows that the first two oxidation potentials of the array differ by approximately 0.15 V and straddle the value exhibited by the monomeric constituents. The third and fourth oxidation potentials of the array are also split although to a lesser extent ( approximately 0.08 V) than the first and second. For the meso-linked trimer, the first three oxidation waves are also split; however, these waves are severely overlapped. The electrochemical behavior of the dimers and trimer is indicative of strong electronic interactions among the porphyrins. The thiol-derivatized meso-linked dimers form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold via in situ cleavage of the S-acetylthio protecting group. The porphyrin SAM exhibits four well-resolved oxidation waves. Regardless, the meso-meso linkage is relatively unstable upon formation of the pi-cation radical(s). This characteristic indicates that the structural motif is of limited utility for molecular information storage elements.     

Synthesis of thiol-derivatized porphyrin dimers and trimers for studies of architectural effects on multibit information storage

We present the rational design and synthesis of multiporphyrin arrays containing thiol-derivatized linkers for the purpose of multibit molecular information storage. Porphyrin dimers and trimers were synthesized by the Pd-mediated coupling of iodo-substituted and ethynyl-substituted porphyrin building blocks in 5-51% yields. Each porphyrin dimer bears one S-acetylthio group. The architecture of the trimers incorporates a trans-substituted porphyrin (central) bearing two S-acetylthio groups and two diphenylethyne-linked porphyrins (wings) in a trans geometry. The central porphyrin and the wing porphyrins bear distinct substituents and central metals, thereby affording different oxidation potentials. The S-acetylthio groups provide a means for attachment of the arrays to an electroactive surface. The dimers are designed for vertical orientation on an electroactive surface while the trimers are designed for horizontal orientation of the central porphyrin. Altogether seven different arrays were synthesized. Each array forms a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on gold via in situ cleavage of the S-acetyl protecting group. The SAM of each array is electrochemically robust and exhibits multiple, reversible oxidation waves. In general, however, the trimeric arrays appear to form more highly ordered monolayers that exhibit sharper, better-defined redox features.     

Diverse redox-active molecules bearing O-, S-, or Se-terminated tethers for attachment to silicon in studies of molecular information storage

A molecular approach to information storage employs redox-active molecules tethered to an electroactive surface. Attachment of the molecules to electroactive surfaces requires control over the nature of the tether (linker and surface attachment group). We have synthesized a collection of redox-active molecules bearing different linkers and surface anchor groups in free or protected form (hydroxy, mercapto, S-acetylthio, and Se-acetylseleno) for attachment to surfaces such as silicon, germanium, and gold. The molecules exhibit a number of cationic oxidation states, including one (ferrocene), two [zinc(II)porphyrin], three [cobalt(II)porphyrin], or four (lanthanide triple-decker sandwich compound). Electrochemical studies of monolayers of a variety of the redox-active molecules attached to Si(100) electrodes indicate that molecules exhibit a regular mode of attachment (via a Si-X bond, X = O, S, or Se), relatively homogeneous surface organization, and robust reversible electrochemical behavior. The acetyl protecting group undergoes cleavage during the surface deposition process, enabling attachment to silicon via thio or seleno groups without handling free thiols or selenols.     

Porphyrin dyads bearing carbon tethers for studies of high-density molecular charge storage on silicon surfaces

Redox-active molecules that afford high charge density upon attachment to an electroactive surface are of interest for use in molecular-based information-storage applications. One strategy for increasing charge density is to covalently link a second redox center to the first in an architecture that uses the vertical dimension in essentially the same molecular footprint. Toward this end, a set of four new porphyrin dyads have been prepared and characterized. Each dyad consists of two zinc porphyrins, an intervening linker (p-phenylene or 4,4'-diphenylethyne), and a surface attachment group (ethynyl or triallyl group). The porphyrin dyads were attached to an electroactive Si(100) surface and interrogated via electrochemical and FTIR techniques. The charge density obtainable for the ethynyl-functionalized porphyrin dyads is approximately double that observed for an analogously functionalized monomer, whereas that for the triallyl-functionalized dyads is at most 40% larger. These results indicate that the molecular footprint of the former dyads is similar to that of a monomer while that of the latter dyads is larger. For both the ethynyl- and triallyl-functionalized porphyrin dyads, higher charge densities (smaller molecular footprints) are obtained for the molecules containing the 4,4'-diphenylethyne versus the p-phenylene linker. This feature is attributed to the enhanced torsional flexibility of the former linker compared with that of the latter, which affords better packed monolayers. The FTIR studies indicate that the adsorption geometry of all the dyads is qualitatively similar and similar to that of monomers. However, the dyads containing the 4,4'-diphenylethyne linker sit somewhat more upright on the surface than those containing the p-phenylene linker, generally consistent with the smaller molecular footprint for the former dyads. Collectively, the high surface charge density (34-58 muC.cm(-)(2)) of the porphyrin dyads makes these constructs viable candidates for molecular-information-storage applications.     

Synthesis of cyclic hexameric porphyrin arrays. Anchors for surface immobilization and columnar self-assembly

To investigate new architectures for the self-assembly of multiporphyrin arrays, a one-flask synthesis of a shape-persistent cyclic hexameric array of porphyrins was exploited to prepare six derivatives bearing diverse pendant groups. The new arrays contain 6-12 carboxylic acid groups, 12 amidino groups, 6 thiol groups, or 6 thiol groups and 6 carboxylic acid groups in protected form (S-acetylthio, TMS-ethyl, TMS-ethoxycarbonyl). The arrays contain alternating Zn and free base (Fb) porphyrins or all Zn porphyrins. The one-flask synthesis entails a template-directed, Pd-mediated coupling of a p/p'-substituted diethynyl Zn porphyrin and a m/m'-substituted diiodo Fb porphyrin. The porphyrin building blocks (trans-A(2)B(2), trans-AB(2)C) contain the protected pendant groups at nonlinking meso positions. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of a Zn(3)Fb(3) cyclic hexamer containing one thiol group on each porphyrin was prepared on a gold electrode and the surface-immobilized architecture was examined electrochemically. Together, the work reported herein provides cyclic hexameric porphyrin arrays for studies of self-assembly in solution or on surfaces.     

Porphyrin architectures tailored for studies of molecular information storage

A molecular approach to information storage employs redox-active molecules tethered to an electroactive surface. Zinc porphyrins tethered to Au(111) or Si(100) provide a benchmark for studies of information storage. Three sets of porphyrins have been synthesized for studies of the interplay of molecular design and charge-storage properties: (1) A set of porphyrins is described for probing the effect of surface attachment atom on electron-transfer kinetics. Each porphyrin bears a meso-CH2X group for surface attachment where X = OH, SAc, or SeAc. (2) A set of porphyrins is described for studying the effect of surface-charge density in monolayers. Each porphyrin bears a benzyl alcohol for surface attachment and three nonlinking meso substituents of a controlled degree of bulkiness. (3) A set of porphyrins is described that enables investigation of on-chip patterning of the electrolyte. Each porphyrin bears a formyl group distal to the surface attachment group for subsequent derivatization with a molecular entity that comprises the electrolyte. Taken together, this collection of molecules enables a variety of studies to elucidate design issues in molecular-based information storage.     

Swallowtail porphyrins: synthesis, characterization and incorporation into porphyrin dyads

The incorporation of symmetrically branched tridecyl ("swallowtail") substituents at the meso positions of porphyrins results in highly soluble building blocks. Synthetic routes have been investigated to obtain porphyrin building blocks bearing 1-4 swallowtail groups. Porphyrin dyads have been synthesized in which the zinc or free base (Fb) porphyrins are joined by a 4,4'-diphenylethyne linker and bear swallowtail (or n-pentyl) groups at the nonlinking meso positions. The swallowtail-substituted Zn(2)- and ZnFb-dyads are readily soluble in common organic solvents. Static absorption and fluorescence spectra and electrochemical data show that the presence of the swallowtail groups slightly raises the energy level of the filled a(2u)(pi) HOMO. EPR studies of the pi-cation radicals of the swallowtail porphyrins indicate that the torsional angle between the proton on the alkyl carbon and p-orbital on the meso carbon of the porphyrin is different from that of a porphyrin bearing linear pentyl groups. Regardless, the swallowtail substituents do not significantly affect the photophysical properties of the porphyrins or the electronic interactions between the porphyrins in the dyads. In particular, time-resolved spectroscopic studies indicate that facile excited-state energy transfer occurs in the ZnFb dyad, and EPR studies of the monocation radical of the Zn(2)-dyad show that interporphyrin ground-state hole transfer is rapid.     

Sequence and linker dependent chiral dimerization of DNA–porphyrin conjugates

Circular dichroism (CD), UV–vis absorption, fluorescence, and resonance light scattering (RLS) spectroscopies were used to elucidate the role of the DNA sequence, linkers between DNA and porphyrin, and metal in the porphyrin coordination center on the self-assembly of DNA–porphyrin conjugates. A series of eight non-self-complementary DNA–porphyrin conjugates have been synthesized with zinc and free-base porphyrins covalently attached to the short ODNs (A₈ or T₈) via amide or phosphate linker. A small structural modification (e.g., amide linker replaced by the phosphate linker) showed a dramatic effect on the aggregation properties of DNA–porphyrin conjugates and greatly altered their spectroscopic properties. At low ionic strength, porphyrin aggregation was not observed for any conjugate. An increase in the ionic strength caused two out of eight conjugates to form chiral porphyrin dimers.     

Investigation of stepwise covalent synthesis on a surface yielding porphyrin-based multicomponent architectures

Porphyrins have been shown to be a viable medium for use in molecular-based information storage applications. The success of this application requires the construction of a stack of components ("electroactive surface/tether/charge-storage molecule/linker/electrolyte/top contact") that can withstand high-temperature conditions during fabrication (up to 400 degrees C) and operation (up to 140 degrees C). To identify suitable chemistry that enables in situ stepwise synthesis of covalently linked architectures on an electroactive surface, three sets of zinc porphyrins (22 altogether) have been prepared. In the set designed to form the base layer on a surface, each porphyrin incorporates a surface attachment group (triallyl tripod or vinyl monopod) and a distal functional group (e.g., pentafluorophenyl, amine, bromo, carboxy) for elaboration after surface attachment. A second set designed for in situ dyad construction incorporates a single functional group (alcohol, isothiocyanato) that is complementary to the functional group in the base porphyrins. A third set designed for in situ multad construction incorporates two identical functional groups (bromo, alcohol, active methylene, amine, isothiocyanato) in a trans configuration (5,15-positions in the porphyrin). Each porphyrin that bears a surface attachment group was found to form a good quality monolayer on Si(100) as evidenced by the voltammetric and vibrational signatures. One particularly successful chemistry identified for stepwise growth entailed reaction of a surface-tethered porphyrin-amine with a dianhydride (e.g., 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride), forming the monoimide/monoanhydride. Subsequent reaction with a diamine (e.g., 4,4'-methylene-bis(2,6-dimethylaniline)) gave the bis(imide) bearing a terminal amine. Repetition of this stepwise growth process afforded surface-bound oligo-imide architectures composed of alternating components without any reliance on protecting groups. Taken together, the ability to prepare covalently linked constructs on a surface without protecting groups in a stepwise manner augurs well for the systematic preparation of a wide variety of functional molecular devices.     

Structural and coordination studies of "pearl oysterlike" porphyrins

We report the coordination studies of porphyrins with pre-organized but yet flexible straps, each bearing over the center of the porphyrin either a 2,2-malonic acid diethyl ester residue or a 2,2-malonic acid residue. The straps are attached to the porphyrin via two adjacent meso positions, 5,10 and 15,20, respectively, and the 2,2-malonic acid diethyl ester groups are connected to the straps on benzylic carbon atoms. These two structural features allow a significant flexibility of the straps, as confirmed by the comparison of the X-ray structures of the zinc, nickel, and lead complexes of porphyrin 1. In the latter, the influence of the lone-electron pair of lead is clearly demonstrated. The coordination of bismuth is also reported.     

Synthesis of Linear Amphipathic Porphyrin Dimers and Trimers: An Approach to Bilayer Lipid Membrane Spanning Porphyrin Arrays

A modular building-block approach has been developed for the construction of linear amphipathic porphyrin arrays. The reaction of meso-(trifluoromethyl)dipyrromethane and an aldehyde under the conditions of the two-step room temperature porphyrin synthesis affords the trans-substituted porphyrin (13-56% yields). A similar reaction with two different aldehydes provides access to porphyrins bearing two different functional groups. An ethyne porphyrin and an iodo porphyrin (either free base or zinc) are selectively joined via Pd(0)-catalyzed coupling reactions, affording a linear array with porphyrins in defined metalation states. Coupling of a zinc-porphyrin bearing iodo and ester groups with a free base porphyrin bearing ethyne and ester groups yielded the zinc-free base porphyrin dimer. Coupling of a bis-ethyne porphyrin with a porphyrin bearing iodo and ester groups afforded the porphyrin trimer. Cleavage of the esters yielded the amphipathic porphyrin dimer and trimer arrays. The arrays with adjacent zinc and free base porphyrins undergo efficient electronic energy transfer. Both amphipathic porphyrin arrays have been incorporated into L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine vesicles. This versatile synthetic strategy provides access to a family of porphyrin arrays for studies of photophysical processes in supramolecular assemblies.     

Synthesis of thiol-derivatized europium porphyrinic triple-decker sandwich complexes for multibit molecular information storage

The storage of multiple bits of information at the molecular level requires molecules with a large number of distinct oxidation states. Lanthanide triple-decker sandwich molecules employing porphyrins and phthalocyanines afford four cationic states and are very attractive for molecular information storage applications. Five triple-decker building blocks have been prepared of the type (phthalocyanine)Eu(phthalocyanine)Eu(porphyrin), each bearing one iodo, one ethyne, or one iodo and one ethyne group attached to the porphyrin unit. Two triple-decker building blocks with different oxidation potentials were derivatized with an S-acetylthiophenyl unit for attachment to an electroactive surface. To explore the preparation of arrays comprised of triple deckers, which may lead to the storage of a larger number of bits, two types of dyads of triple deckers were prepared. An ethyne-linked dyad of triple deckers bearing one S-acetylthiophenyl unit was prepared via repetitive Sonogashira couplings, and a butadiyne-linked dyad was prepared via a modified Glaser coupling. The triple deckers were characterized by absorption spectroscopy, laser-desorption mass spectrometry, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The thiol-derivatized triple deckers form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold via in situ cleavage of the thiol protecting group. The SAM of each array is electrochemically robust and exhibits three well-resolved, reversible oxidation waves. These electrochemical characteristics indicate that these types of molecules are well suited for storing multiple bits of information.     

Porphyrins bearing mono or tripodal benzylphosphonic acid tethers for attachment to oxide surfaces

The ability to attach redox-active molecules to oxide surfaces in controlled architectures (distance, orientation, packing density) is essential for the design of a variety of molecular-based information storage devices. We describe the synthesis of a series of redox-active molecules wherein each molecule bears a benzylphosphonic acid tether. The redox-active molecules include zinc porphyrins, a cobalt porphyrin, and a ferrocene-zinc porphyrin. An analogous tripodal tether has been prepared that is based on a tris[4-(dihydroxyphosphorylmethyl)phenyl]-derivatized methane. A zinc porphyrin is linked to the methane vertex by a 1,4-phenylene unit. The tripodal systems are designed to improve monolayer stability and ensure vertical orientation of the redox-active porphyrin on the electroactive surface. For comparison purposes, a zinc porphyrin bearing a hexylphosphonic acid tether also has been prepared. The synthetic approaches for introduction of the phosphonic acid group include derivatization of a bromoalkyl porphyrin or use of a dimethyl or diethyl phosphonate substituted precursor in a porphyrin-forming reaction. The latter approach makes use of dipyrromethane building blocks bearing mono or tripodal dialkyl phosphonate groups. The zinc porphyrin-tripodal compound bearing benzylphosphonic acid legs tethered to a SiO(2) surface (grown on doped Si) was electrically well-behaved and exhibited characteristic porphyrin oxidation/reduction waves. Collectively, a variety of porphyrinic molecules can now be prepared with tethers of different length, composition, and structure (mono or tripodal) for studies of molecular-based information storage on oxide surfaces.     

Synthesis of phenylethyne-linked porphyrin dyads

Four new porphyrin dyads have been prepared for studies in artificial photosynthesis. The two porphyrins are joined at the meso positions via a phenylethyne linker and are present in zinc/zinc or zinc/free base metalation states. The porphyrin bearing the ethynyl unit incorporates zero, one, or two pentafluorophenyl groups at non-linking meso positions for tuning the porphyrin redox potentials. The synthetic approach entailed Pd-mediated coupling of porphyrin building blocks that bear a single ethynylphenyl or bromo/iodo substituent.     

Regiospecifically alpha-13C-labeled porphyrins for studies of ground-state hole transfer in multiporphyrin arrays

Insight into the electronic communication between the individual constituents of multicomponent molecular architectures is essential for the rational design of molecular electronic and/or photonic devices. To clock the ground-state hole/electron-transfer process in oxidized multiporphyrin architectures, a p-diphenylethyne-linked zinc porphyrin dyad was prepared wherein one porphyrin bears two (13)C atoms and the other porphyrin is unlabeled. The (13)C atoms are located at the 1- and 9-positions (alpha-carbons symmetrically disposed to the position of linker attachment), which are sites of electron/spin density in the a(1u) HOMO of the porphyrin. The (13)C labels were introduced by reaction of KS(13)CN with allyl bromide to give the allyl isothiocyanate, which upon Trofimov pyrrole synthesis followed by methylation gave 2-(methylthio)pyrrole-2-(13)C. Reaction of the latter with paraformaldehyde followed by hydrodesulfurization gave dipyrromethane-1,9-(13)C, which upon condensation with a dipyrromethane-1,9-dicarbinol bearing three pentafluorophenyl groups gave the tris(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin bearing (13)C labels at the 1,9-positions and an unsubstituted meso (5-) position. Zinc insertion, bromination at the 5-position, and Suzuki coupling with an unlabeled porphyrin bearing a suitably functionalized diphenylethyne linker gave the regiospecifically labeled zinc porphyrin dyad. Examination of the monocation of the isotopically labeled dyad via electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy (and comparison with the monocations of benchmark monomers, where hole transfer cannot occur) showed that the hole transfer between porphyrin constituents of the dyad is slow (<10(6) s(-1)) on the EPR time scale at room temperature. The slow rate stems from the a(1u) HOMO of the electron-deficient porphyrins, which has a node at the site of linker connection. In contrast, analogous dyads of electron-rich porphyrins (wherein the HOMO is a(2u) and has a lobe at the site of linker connection) studied previously exhibit rates of hole transfer that are fast (>5 x 10(7) s(-1)) on the EPR time scale at room temperature.     

Characterization of self-assembled monolayers of porphyrins bearing multiple thiol-derivatized rigid-rod tethers

A series of multithiol-functionalized zinc porphyrins has been prepared and characterized as self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au. The molecules, designated ZnPS(n) (n = 1-4), contain from one to four [(S-acetylthio)methyl]phenylethynylphenyl groups appended to the meso-position of the porphyrin; the other meso-substituents are phenyl groups. For the dithiol-functionalized molecules, both the cis- and the trans-appended structures were examined. The ZnPS(n) SAMs were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and various electrochemical methods. The studies reveal the following characteristics of the ZnPS(n) SAMs. (1) The ZnPS(n) molecules bind to the Au surface via a single thiol regardless of the number of thiol appendages that are available per molecular unit. (2) The porphyrins in the ZnPS(3) and ZnPS(4) SAMs bind to the surface in a more upright orientation than the porphyrins in the ZnPS(1), cis-ZnPS(2), and trans-ZnPS(2) SAMs. The porphyrins in the ZnPS(3) and ZnPS(4) SAMs are also more densely packed than those in the cis-ZnPS(2) and trans-ZnPS(2) SAMs. The packing density of the ZnPS(3) and ZnPS(4) SAMs is similar to that of the ZnPS(1) SAMs, despite the larger size of the molecules in the former SAMs. (3) The thermodynamics and kinetics of electron transfer are generally similar for all of the ZnPS(n) SAMs. The general similarities in the electron-transfer characteristics for all of the SAMs are attributed to the similar binding motif.     

Porphyrins bearing arylphosphonic acid tethers for attachment to oxide surfaces

Synthetic molecules bearing phosphonic acid groups can be readily attached to oxide surfaces. As part of a program in molecular-based information storage, we have developed routes for the synthesis of diverse porphyrinic compounds bearing phenylphosphonic acid tethers. The routes enable (1) incorporation of masked phosphonic acid groups in precursors for use in the rational synthesis of porphyrinic compounds and (2) derivatization of porphyrins with masked phosphonic acid groups. The precursors include dipyrromethanes, monoacyldipyrromethanes, and diacyldipyrromethanes. The tert-butyl group has been used to mask the dihydroxyphosphoryl substituent. The di-tert-butyloxyphosphoryl unit is stable to the range of conditions employed in syntheses of porphyrins and multiporphyrin arrays yet can be deprotected under mild conditions (TMS-Cl/TEA or TMS-Br/TEA in refluxing CHCl(3)) that do not cause demetalation of zinc or magnesium porphyrins. The porphyrinic compounds that have been prepared include (1) A(3)B-, trans-AB(2)C-, and ABCD-porphyrins that bear a single phenylphosphonic acid group, (2) a trans-A(2)B(2)-porphyrin bearing two phenylphosphonic acid groups, (3) a chlorin that bears a single phenylphosphonic acid group, and (4) a porphyrin dyad bearing a single phenylphosphonic acid group. For selected porphyrin-phosphonic acids, the electrochemical characteristics have been investigated for molecules tethered to SiO(2) surfaces grown on doped Si. The voltammetric behavior indicates that the porphyrin-phosphonic acids form robust, electrically well-behaved monolayers on the oxide surface.     

Masked imidazolyl-dipyrromethanes in the synthesis of imidazole-substituted porphyrins

Imidazole-substituted metalloporphyrins are valuable for studies of self-assembly and for applications where water solubility is required. Rational syntheses of porphyrins bearing one or two imidazol-2-yl or imidazol-4-yl groups at the meso positions have been developed. The syntheses employ dipyrromethanes, 1-acyldipyrromethanes, and 1,9-diacyldipyrromethanes bearing an imidazole group at the 5-position. The polar, reactive imidazole unit was successfully masked by use of (1) the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl (SEM) group at the imidazole pyrrolic nitrogen, and (2) a dialkylboron motif bound to the pyrrole of the dipyrromethane and coordinated to the imidazole imino nitrogen. The nonpolar nature of such doubly masked imidazolyl-dipyrromethanes facilitated handling. Selected masked dipyrromethanes were characterized by 11B and 15N NMR spectroscopy. Five distinct methods were examined to obtain trans-A2B2-, trans-AB2C-, and trans-AB-porphyrins. Each porphyrin contained one or two SEM-protected imidazole units. The SEM group could be removed with TBAF or HCl. Two zinc(II) porphyrins and a palladium(II) porphyrin bearing a single imidazole moiety were prepared and subjected to alkylation (with ethyl iodide, 1,3-propane sultone, or 1,4-butane sultone) to give water-soluble imidazolium- porphyrins. This work establishes the foundation for the rational synthesis of a variety of porphyrins containing imidazole units.     

A compact all-carbon tripodal tether affords high coverage of porphyrins on silicon surfaces

[Structure: See text] Redox-active molecules designed to give high charge density on electroactive surfaces are essential for applications in molecular information storage. To achieve a small molecular footprint and thereby high surface charge density, a compound consisting of a triallyl tripod attached via a p-phenylene unit to a porphyrin (1) has been synthesized. The zinc chelate of 1 (Zn-1) was attached to Si(100). Electrochemical measurements indicate that the molecular footprint (75 A) in the monolayer is only approximately 50% larger than the minimum achievable, indicating high surface coverage. IR spectroscopy indicates that the bands due to the nu(C=C) (1638 cm(-1)) and gamma(CH) (915 cm(-1)) vibrations present in the solid sample (KBr pellet) are absent from the spectra of the monolayers of Zn-1, consistent with saturation of the double bond in each of the three legs of the tripod upon the hydrosilylation process accompanying attachment. Comparison of the relative intensities of the in-plane (998 cm(-1)) versus out-of-plane (797 cm(-1)) porphyrin modes indicates the average tilt angle (alpha) of the porphyrin ring with respect to the surface normal is approximately 46 degrees , a value also observed for analogous porphyrins tethered to Si(100) via monopodal carbon linkers. Accordingly, the higher packing densities afforded by the compact tripodal linker are not due to a more upright orientation on the surface. The charge-retention half-lives (t1/2) for the first oxidation state of the Zn-1 monolayers increase from 10 to 50 s at low surface coverage (1-5 x 10(-11) mol.cm(-2)) to near 200 s at saturation coverage (approximately 2 x 10(-10) mol.cm(-2)). Taken together, the high surface charge density (despite the lack of upright orientation) of the triallyl-tripodal porphyrin makes this construct a viable candidate for molecular information storage applications.     

N-porphyrinylamino and -amido compounds by addition of an amino or amido nitrogen to a porphyrin meso position

This report describes the synthesis and characterization of a series of octaethylporphyrin derivatives in which the porphyrin pi-network is connected to phenyl, 3-fluoranthenyl, or 1-pyrenyl aromatic systems through a meso amino or amido nitrogen. Metal-free bases and zinc(II) and iron(III) complexes have been obtained. These compounds represent the first examples of linkages between porphyrins and extended pi-networks through a nitrogen atom directly attached to a porphyrin meso position. 1H NMR studies of the metal-free bases and zinc complexes showed that in the amido-linked adducts, the plane containing the aryl substituent was oriented perpendicular to the plane of the porphyrin. Linkage through the secondary amino nitrogen, however, allowed the aryl plane to rotate toward coplanarity with the porphyrin plane, resulting in conjugation of the highest occupied aryl and porphyrin molecular orbitals through the nitrogen lone pair. In developing routes to the amino-linked compounds, the facile formation of fused azaaryl chlorins via an oxidative intramolecular cycloaddition was observed. An aryl carbon ortho to the meso linkage attacked the beta-carbon of an adjacent pyrrole ring, accompanied by 1,2-migration of a pyrrole beta-ethyl substituent and a two-electron oxidation of the initially formed macrocycle. The resulting structures are analogous to benzochlorins. The electronic spectra of the metal-free bases are characterized by intense, long-wavelength bands in the visible region. Molecular structures of the chloroferric complexes of the azabenzofluorantheno- and azabenzpyrenoporphyrin macrocycles (derived from fusion of the fluoranthenyl and pyrenyl substituents, respectively) were obtained by X-ray diffraction. The porphyrin moiety in the azabenzofluoranthenoporphyrin adopted a gable structure, with a 22 degrees fold along a diagonal including the pyrrole-ring C4 and C16 alpha-carbons. By contrast, the azabenzpyrenoporphyrin was virtually planar.