Synthesis, modification, and optical properties of C3-ethynylated chlorophyll derivatives

3-Ethynyl-chlorin was prepared from methyl pyropheophorbide-d using Bestmann-Ohira reagent. The mono-substituted acetylene was subjected to copper-free, Pd-mediated coupling to form chlorin derivatives possessing a series of substituted ethynyl groups at the C3-position. Its 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with azido compounds were also demonstrated.     

Facile iodination of the vinyl groups in protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester and subsequent transformation of the iodinated moieties

Iodination of protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester using phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA) and I₂ was studied. Iodine added to both the C3- and C8-vinyl groups equally to afford the iodohydrin or iodoether in the presence of water or alcohol, respectively. Any meso-hydrogen atom was not substituted by an iodine atom under these conditions, although both the vinyl group and one of the meso positions of methyl pyropheophorbide-a bearing a chlorin π-system, a chlorophyll-a derivative, was modified with PIFA and I₂. The reaction intermediates derived from the porphyrin were more reactive than those from the chlorin and liable to form intermolecular linkages. The obtained 2-iodo-1-hydroxyethyl group was transformed into a formyl group by a mild treatment. The corresponding iodoether moiety was readily converted into the acetyl group under basic conditions. These transformations were also applicable to smaller olefins such as styrene.     

Novel metal complexes of boronated chlorin e6 for photodynamic therapy

Various structural modifications of chlorins are aimed at optimization of biomedical characteristics of these plant-derived tetrapyrrolic compounds. In particular, conjugation with boron polyhedra improves the efficacy of chlorin e₆ derivatives as antitumor photosensitizers. To obtain the compounds that may possess several clinically favorable characteristics, we synthesized a series of metal chlorin e₆ conjugates with 1-carba-closo-dodecaborate anion that contain Pd(II), Sn(IV) or Zn(II) in the coordination sphere of the chlorin macrocycle. The compounds were synthesized by alkylation of amino group in chlorin e₆ metal complexes with 1-trifluoromethanesulfonylmethyl-1-carba-closo-dodecaborate cesium. The water soluble Pd(II) complex of chlorin e₆ 13(1)-N-{2-[N-(1-carba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)methyl]aminoethyl}amide-15(2), 17(3)-dimethyl ester (compound 6) evoked low dark cytotoxicity; in striking contrast, 6 potently sensitized human tumor cells to illumination with monochromatic red light. Confocal microscopic studies demonstrated that photoactivation of 6 rapidly (within minutes) changed the patterns of intracellular drug distribution from diffuse cytoplasmic to clustered perinuclear. Co-localization experiments revealed that 6 associated with lysosomes in illuminated cells. These events were paralleled by alteration of mitochondrial shape, a decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane electric potential and the loss of plasma membrane impermeability for propidium iodide, the latter being a hallmark of cell necrosis. Similar mechanisms of cell photodamage were found for structurally close Pd(II) complex of chlorin with neutral carborane and for Sn(IV) chlorin conjugated with the anionic carborane. Thus, metal complexes of carboranylchlorins are efficient photosensitizers capable of triggering rapid necrosis. These compounds are promising for further development as multipotent agents in which each moiety, i.e., metal, the chlorin macrocycle and the boron substituent, as well as the entire complex, can be useful in cancer diagnostics and treatment.     

Synthesis of non-aggregating chlorins and isobacteriochlorins from meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin: a study using 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions under mild conditions

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin and its nickel complex, with the bulky azomethine ylide dipole was studied under mild conditions, and yielded chlorin and isobacteriochlorin derivatives self-prevented from aggregation. The reactions were performed at room temperature or 0 °C, and we were able to establish a set of reaction conditions to obtain only the chlorin or the isobacteriochlorin. These compounds were evaluated in solution, and no aggregation was observed at less than 25 mM (∼30 mg mL⁻¹) using ¹H NMR experiments.     

Controlled porphyrinogen oxidation for the selective synthesis of meso-tetraarylchlorins

Chlorins have been synthesized through the reduction of the corresponding porphyrins although theoretically they can be obtained from reduced macrocycle forms as porphyrinogens. A new method for the oxidation of meso-tetraarylporphyrinogens was developed generating a substantial amount of chlorin relatively to porphyrin. The structure of the porphyrinogen, particularly the presence of substituents on the meso-phenyl groups, is decisive for the final yield of chlorin. In the case of meso-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrinogen, 92% of the corresponding chlorin is obtained.     

Diels–Alder reactions of directly C3-dieneylated chlorophyll derivatives

The [4π?+?2π] cycloaddition of methyl 3-(1,3-butadien-1/2-yl)pyropheophorbides-a with tetracyanoethylene, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, and naphthoquinone gave the corresponding Diels–Alder reaction adducts. The trans-1-substituted 1,3-butadiene was more reactive than its regioisomeric 2-substituent. The oxidation of some cycloadducts gave C3-arylated chlorophyll derivatives, whose ortho-substitution blue-shifted the corresponding Qy absorption maxima in dichloromethane because of the steric repulsion between the aryl and chlorin π-planes.     

Synthesis,photophysical properties,and photochemical activity of the water-soluble dyad based on fullerene С<Subscript>60</Subscript> and chlorin <Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis><Subscript>6</Subscript> derivatives

Chlorin e₆ derivative and water-soluble dyad resulting from covalent bonding of polyanionic fullerene С₆₀ derivative to chlorin e₆ derivative were synthesized and studied for spectral properties and photochemical activity. A considerable change in the absorption spectra and pronounced fluorescence quenching for the chlorin moiety included in the dyad were identified. The singlet excited state of chlorin is quenched via electron transfer from the excited chlorin to the fullerene core. A comparison of the photochemical activities of the test compounds in aqueous solutions showed a tenfold increase in the photochemical activity of the chlorin–fullerene dyad compared with free chlorin per absorbed light quantum.     

Syntheses of Chalcone‐Type Chlorophyll Derivatives Possessing a Bacteriochlorin,Chlorin or Porphyrin π‐System and Their Optical Properties

C3‐(Trans‐2‐arylethenyl)carbonylated chlorophyll derivatives possessing a bacteriochlorin or chlorin π‐system were synthesized by cross‐aldol (Claisen–Schmidt) condensation of methyl pyrobacteriopheophorbide‐a or 3‐acetyl‐3‐devinyl‐pyropheophorbide‐a bearing the C3‐acetyl group with p‐(un)substituted benzaldehydes under basic conditions. The corresponding porphyrin‐type chlorophyll derivatives were prepared by the oxidation (17,18‐didehydrogenation) of the chlorin‐type. Their Qy absorption and fluorescence emission maxima in dichloromethane correlated well with Hammett substituent constants of the p‐substituents. Several electron‐withdrawing p‐substituents suppressed the emission due to photoinduced electron transfer quenching in a molecule. The substitution sensitivities for their maxima and fluorescence quantum yields decreased in the order of bacteriochlorin‐, chlorin‐ and porphyrin‐type derivatives.     

Synthesis of amide derivatives of chlorin <Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis><Subscript>6</Subscript>

A number of secondary and tertiary chlorin e ₆-13-amides were synthesized in high yield by the action of primary and secondary amines on methylpheophorbide a under mild conditions. Unlike the secondary amides, tertiary 13-amides were shown to exist as two stereoisomers differing by orientation of the amide group plane with respect to the macroring. The reaction of methylpheophorbide a with 2-aminoethanol gave chlorin e ₆ derivatives containing one, two, and three hydroxy groups.     

Synthesis of carboxylated chlorophyll derivatives and their activities in dye-sensitized solar cells

Chlorophyll-a derivatives possessing a carboxy group in the substituent at the 3-position were prepared by chemical modification of methyl pyropheophorbide-d bearing the 3-formyl group via a Wittig, Barbier-type, or Knoevenagel reaction. The synthetic carboxylated chlorophyll pigments were employed as dye sensitizers for solar cells and their performances were compared in a conventional device based on a mesoporous titanium dioxide electrode and a liquid electrolyte. The solar power conversion efficiency was suppressed with an increase in the length of the oligomethylene moiety between the chlorin π-system and the carboxy group, while a corresponding π-linked ethenylene spacer enhanced the efficiency.     

Construction of chlorophyll assemblies based on zinc complexes of triazole–chlorin conjugates

A series of triazole–chlorin conjugates were prepared by Huisgen reactions of a C3–ethynylated chlorophyll derivative with azido compounds. Dimerization behaviour of their zinc complexes was investigated based on UV–vis, circular dichroism, and ¹H NMR spectroscopies as well as molecular modelling calculation.     

Zeeman effect of the S1 ← S0 transition of the two tautomeric forms of chlorin: a study by photochemical hole burning in an n-hexane host

Zeeman experiments are reported on the S₁ ← S₀ O-O transitions of chlorin (7,8-dihydroporphin) and its photoisomer in an n-hexane crystal by photochemical hole burning at 4.2 K. The holes shift with a quadratic field dependence of -39.0 MHz/T² (chlorin) and ?245.3 MHz/T² (photoisomer). For chlorin A = ¦<S₁¦L_z¦S₂ > ¦=4.5. Single-site absorption and fluo spectra are reported. PPP calculations were performed.     

脱镁叶绿酸-a甲酯的1,3-偶极环加成及其叶绿素衍生物的合成

以脱镁叶绿酸-a甲酯(1)为起始原料, 利用其3-位乙烯基与重氮甲烷的1,3-偶极环加成反应, 得到3-位氢化吡唑取代的脱镁叶绿酸-a衍生物2, 通过热裂解使得3-位吡唑基开环并重排成环丙基. 碱性条件下, 所生成的3-环丙基取代的卟吩3脱甲氧甲酰基后转化成焦脱镁叶绿酸衍生物4. 选用重氮乙烷为另一偶极体与1进行1,3-偶极环加成反应, 则给出2-甲基环丙基取代的立体异构体卟吩5, 同样经过脱甲氧甲酰基处理, 得到焦脱镁叶绿酸衍生物6. 所合成新叶绿素衍生物2～6均经UV, IR, ¹H NMR及元素分析证明其结构.     

Hole-burning spectroscopy on organic molecules in amorphous silica

Amorphous silica samples of high optical quality, doped with organic molecules, were prepared at room temperature by the sol-gel method. Spectral hole-burning experiments were performed in the S₁←S₀ absorption bands of chlorin (2,3-dihydroporphyrin) and of oxazine-4 perchlorate. Homogeneous linewidths of 380 and 750 MHz were obtained at 1.7 K. The temperature dependence between 1.7 and 5.7 K was T^145±0.07 for chlorin and T^127±0.05for oxazine-4.     

β-Keto ester aminolysis of pheophorbide a methyl ester: a facile route for asymmetric chlorin ring substitution

A chemoselective aminolysis of the β-keto ester of pheophorbide a methyl ester is demonstrated opening a facile access to an asymmetric amide functionalization of a chlorin ring using a range of aromatic and aliphatic, primary and secondary amine nucleophiles. Aminolysis of pheophorbide a methyl ester with trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane is shown to give a symmetric open face chlorin dimer.     

Self-assembled zinc chlorin rod antennae powered by peripheral light-harvesting chromophores

The multichromophoric dyads 1, 2 and triad 3 have been synthesized by coupling of the appropriately functionalized chlorin derivative with naphthalene diimide dyes through esterification, and subsequent metalation of the chlorin center with zinc acetate. The self-assembly properties of naphthalene diimide (NDI)-zinc chlorin (ZnChl) dyads 1, 2 and triad 3 have been studied in nonpolar, aprotic solvents by UV-vis, CD, and steady-state emission spectroscopy, revealing formation of rod-like structures by noncovalent interactions of zinc chlorin units, while the appended naphthalene diimide dyes do not aggregate at the periphery of the rod antennae. In all these systems, photoexcitation of the enveloping naphthalene diimides at 540 and 620 nm, respectively, leads to highly efficient energy-transfer processes (FRET; phiET > or = 0.99) to the inner zinc chlorin backbone, as explored by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy on the picosecond time scale. The efficiencies of zinc chlorin rod aggregates for the harvesting of solar light are markedly increased from 26% for dyad 2 up to 63% for triad 3, compared to the LH capacity of the monochromophoric aggregates of model system ZnChl 6a. Thus, with the self-assembled zinc chlorin rod antenna based on triad 3, a highly efficient artificial LH system has been achieved.     

DNA-binding properties and photocleavage activity of cationic water-soluble chlorophyll derivatives

Three cationic water-soluble chlorin e(6) derivatives, that is, 6a-,gammab-,7c-tris(2-trimethylammonioethyl)chlorin e(6) (1), 6a-,gammab-,7c-tris(3-methylpyridiniummethyl)chlorin e(6) (2), and 6a-,gammab-, 7c-tris(2-trimethylammonioethyl)-2-(3-trimethylammonioprop-1-enyl)chlorin e(6) (3), have been designed and synthesized to allow the study of their DNA-binding and -photocleavage activities. The DNA-unwinding assay, measurements of melting temperatures of double-stranded DNA, and the induced CD and visible absorption spectra have revealed that 1 and 3 are intercalated into the base pairs of the double-helical DNA, while 2 is bound to outside the minor groove of the double-helical DNA. The cationic water-soluble chlorin e(6) derivatives effectively cleave the double-helical DNA under photoirradiation and the DNA-photocleavage activity increases in the order 3>1>2. The DNA-binding and -photocleavage characteristics of the three cationic water-soluble chlorin e(6) derivatives are influenced by aspects of their molecular structure, such as the kind, number, and position of the cationic substituents.     

3-位长链烷基双(单)取代焦脱镁叶绿酸-a甲酯的合成

以焦脱镁叶绿酸-a甲酯(1)为起始原料, 通过E环保护和3-位乙烯基的氧化反应得到卟吩醛2, 与长链烷基溴化镁的Grignard反应将3-位甲酰基转化为1-羟长链烷基, 选用TPAP和N-甲基吗啉N-氧化物混合氧化剂对卟吩仲醇3的羟基进行氧化, 生成3-位烷酰基焦脱镁叶绿酸-a衍生物4, 再与长链烷基溴化镁进行Grignard反应, 得到亲核加成产物卟吩叔醇5和还原产物3; 以对甲苯磺酸催化, 卟吩醇3和5在干燥苯中回流脱水, 分别给出反式结构的3-位长链烷基单或者双取代的焦脱镁叶绿酸-a甲酯衍生物6和7. 所合成的叶绿酸衍生物均经UV, IR, ¹H NMR及元素分析证明其结构.     

Sparsely substituted chlorins as core constructs in chlorophyll analogue chemistry. III. Spectral and structural properties

The availability of stable chlorins bearing few or no substituents has enabled a variety of fundamental studies. The studies described herein report absorption spectra of diverse chlorins, comparative NMR features of chlorins bearing 0-3 meso-aryl substituents, and X-ray structures of the fully unsubstituted chlorin and the oxochlorin.