Electrochemistry and Spectral Characterization of Oxidized and Reduced (TPPBr(x)())FeCl Where TPPBr(x)() Is the Dianion of beta-Brominated-Pyrrole Tetraphenylporphyrin and x Varies from 0 to 8

The electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of (TPPBr(x)())FeCl (TPPBr(x)() is the dianion of beta-brominated-pyrrole tetraphenylporphyrin and x = 0-8) were examined in PhCN containing tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) as supporting electrolyte. Each compound undergoes two reversible to quasireversible one-electron oxidations and either three or four reductions within the potential limits of the solvent. The two oxidations occur at the conjugated porphyrin pi ring system, and DeltaE(1/2) between these two electrode reactions increases as the molecule becomes more distorted. The overall reduction of each compound involves the stepwise electrogeneration omicronf an iron(II), iron(I), and iron(I) pi anion radical. An equilibrium between chloride-bound and chloride-free iron(II) forms of the porphyrin is observed with association of the anionic ligand being favored for compounds with x > 5. Singly reduced (TPPBr(x)())FeCl (x = 0 to x = 6) forms both mono- and bis-CO adducts in CH(2)Cl(2). Only the mono-CO adduct is observed for (TPPBr(7))FeCl, and there is no binding at all of CO to (TPPBr(8))FeCl. The nu(CO) of both the mono- and bis-adducts increases with increase in the number of Br groups, but in a nonlinear fashion which is explained in terms of two competing effects. One is the electron-withdrawing affinity of the Br substitutents and the other the nonplanarity of the macrocycle.     

Axial ligand coordination in sterically strained vanadyl porphyrins: synthesis, structure, and properties

A hitherto unknown family of six-coordinate vanadyl porphyrins of the sterically crowded, nonplanar 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-5,10,15,20-tetranitroporphyrin incorporating axial ligand L [where L is pyridine, tetrahydrofuran (THF), or methanol (MeOH)] has been isolated as VO(tn-OEP)(L) in the solid phase for the first time and also structurally characterized. The presence of four electron-withdrawing, bulky nitro groups at the meso positions of vanadyl octaethylporphyrins severely distorts the porphyrin macrocycles and significantly enhances the affinity for the axial ligands, where even weak sigma-donating ligands, such as MeOH, bind strongly enough to be isolable in the solid phase and that too under the offset effects of the macrocyclic distortions. Thus, the axial ligand affinity is influenced by both the electronic and conformational effect, which cannot be separated completely in this series. The solid-state magnetic measurements and their typical electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum show the presence of a single, unpaired electron, consistent with V(IV) formulation. The VO stretching frequency for VO(tn-OEP) occurs as a sharp, strong peak at 1008 cm(-1), which is consistent with five-coordinate vanadyl porphyrins, while VO(tn-OEP)(L) displays a strong band at lower wavenumbers. The downshift in nu(VO) upon axial coordination increases with increasing donor strength of the axial ligands; for pyridine, the downshift is 30 cm(-1), while for THF and MeOH, the downshifts are nearly 18 cm(-1). X-ray structure determinations authenticate axial coordination in a purely saddle-distorted porphyrin macrocycle for all of the complexes reported here in which V-Np distances are significantly shorter, while the porphyrin cores have been expanded on axial ligand coordination. As a result, vanadium atoms are more inplane than in a five-coordinate species. The binding of L does not change the spin or metal oxidation states (V(IV), d(1)-system) of the complexes; therefore, the changes observed are truly the reflections of axial ligand coordination. Electrochemical data obtained from cyclic voltammetric studies reveal that the complexes are much easier to reduce (by approximately 1200 mV) but more difficult to oxidize (by approximately 500 mV) as compared to nearly planar VO(OEP). The complexes undergo two one-electron oxidations due to pi-cation radical and dication formation and three one-electron reductions. The first two reductions are because of pi-anion radical and dianion formation, while the third quasi-reversible reduction is assigned to a metal-centered process (V(IV) --> V(III)). These results can be useful for identifying the interaction of the vanadyl porphyrins with the biological targets in their reported involvement in potent insulinomimetic activity and in anti-HIV agents.     

Electrochemistry of platinum(II) porphyrins: effect of substituents and π-extension on redox potentials and site of electron transfer

Fourteen platinum(II) porphyrins with different π-conjugated macrocycles and different electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents were investigated as to their electrochemical and spectroscopic properties in nonaqueous media. Eight compounds have the formula (Ar(4)P)Pt(II), where Ar(4)P = the dianion of a tetraarylporphyrin, while six have π-extented macrocycles with four β,β'-fused benzo or naphtho groups and are represented as (TBP)Pt(II) and (TNP)Pt(II) where TBP and TNP are the dianions of tetrabenzoporphyrin and tetranaphthoporphyrin, respectively. Each Pt(II) porphyrin undergoes two reversible one-electron reductions and one to three reversible one-electron oxidations in nonaqueous media. These reactions were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV-visible thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry and in some cases by ESR spectroscopy. The two reductions invariably occur at the conjugated π-ring system to yield relatively stable Pt(II) π-anion radicals and dianions. The first oxidation leads to a stable π-cation radical for each investigated porphyrin; but in the case of tetraarylporphyrins containing electron-withdrawing substituents, the product of the second oxidation may undergo an internal electron transfer to give a Pt(IV) porphyrin with an unoxidized macrocycle. The effects of macrocycle structure on UV-visible spectra, oxidation/reduction potentials, and site of electron transfer are discussed.     

Multi-triphenylamine-substituted porphyrin-fullerene conjugates as charge stabilizing "antenna-reaction center" mimics

A new concept of charge stabilization via delocalization of the pi-cation radical species over the donor macrocycle substituents in a relatively simple donor-acceptor bearing multimodular conjugates is reported. The newly synthesized multimodular systems were composed of three covalently linked triphenylamine entities at the meso position of the porphyrin ring and one fulleropyrrolidine at the fourth meso position. The triphenylamine entities were expected to act as energy transferring antenna units and to enhance the electron donating ability of both free-base and zinc(II) porphyrin derivatives of these pentads. Appreciable electronic interactions between the meso-substituted triphenylamine entities and the porphyrin pi-system were observed, and as a consequence, these moieties acted together as an electron-donor while the fullerene moiety acted as an electron-acceptor in the multimodular conjugates. In agreement with the spectral and electrochemical results, the computational studies performed by the DFT B3LYP/3-21G(*) method revealed delocalization of the frontier highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) over the triphenylamine entities in addition to the porphyrin macrocycle. Free-energy calculations suggested that the light-induced processes from the singlet excited state of porphyrins are exothermic in the investigated multimodular conjugates. The occurrence of photoinduced charge-separation and charge-recombination processes was confirmed by the combination of time-resolved fluorescence and nanosecond transient absorption spectral measurements. Charge-separated states, on the order of a few microseconds, were observed as a result of the delocalization of the pi-cation radical species over the porphyrin macrocycle and the meso-substituted triphenylamine entities. The present study successfully demonstrates a novel approach of charge-stabilization in donor-acceptor multimodular conjugates.     

Influence of Meso Substituents on Electronic States of (Oxoferryl)porphyrin pi-Cation Radicals

A series of (oxoferryl)porphyrin pi-cation radicals generated from porphyrins substituted at the meso positions with highly electron-withdrawing aryl groups has been characterized: tetrakis-5,10,15,20-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-, 5-(2-chloro-6-nitrophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-, and 5-(2,6-dinitrophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrins (porphyrins 1-3, respectively). The physical-chemical properties of the oxidized complexes of 1-3 are compared to those of two (oxoferryl)porphyrin pi-cation radical complexes substituted with electron-releasing aryl groups: tetramesitylporphyrin (TMP) and 2-iodotetramesitylporphyrin (2-iodoTMP). While all of the complexes examined show close correspondance in a number of spectroscopic parameters, some significant differences were observed. In contrast to observations for the oxidized complexes of TMP and 2-iodoTMP, the resonance Raman marker bands nu(2) and nu(11), which are indicators of symmetry state of porphyrin pi-cation radicals of 1-3, do not show the expected downfrequency shifts for oxidation to compound I analogs in a(2u) symmetry states. The upfield hyperfine NMR shifts of the pyrrole beta-proton signals of the compound I analogs of 1-3 are much larger than those for TMP and 2-iodoTMP. These data may be explained by admixture of some a(1u) character into the ground state of radical cations of 1-3, consistent with the hypothesis that electron-withdrawing meso substituents lower the energy of the a(2u) molecular orbital, favoring an a(1u) admixture.     

Origin of the red shifts in the optical absorption bands of nonplanar tetraalkylporphyrins

The view that the large red shifts seen in the UV-visible absorption bands of peripherally crowded nonplanar porphyrins are the result of nonplanar deformations of the macrocycle has recently been challenged by the suggestion that the red shifts arise from substituent-induced changes in the macrocycle bond lengths and bond angles, termed in-plane nuclear reorganization (IPNR). We have analyzed the contributions to the UV-visible band shifts in a series of nickel or zinc meso-tetraalkylporphyrins to establish the origins of the red shifts in these ruffled porphyrins. Structures were obtained using a molecular mechanics force field optimized for porphyrins, and the nonplanar deformations were quantified by using normal-coordinate structural decomposition (NSD). Transition energies were calculated by the INDO/S semiempirical method. These computational studies demonstrate conclusively that the large Soret band red shifts ( approximately 40 nm) seen for very nonplanar meso-tetra(tert-butyl)porphyrin compared to meso-tetra(methyl)porphyrin are primarily the result of nonplanar deformations and not IPNR. Strikingly, nonplanar deformations along the high-frequency 2B(1u) and 3B(1u) normal coordinates of the macrocycle are shown to contribute significantly to the observed red shifts, even though these deformations are an order of magnitude smaller than the observed ruffling (1B(1u)) deformation. Other structural and electronic influences on the UV-visible band shifts are discussed and problems with the recent studies are examined (e.g., the systematic underestimation of the 2B(1u) and 3B(1u) modes in artificially constrained porphyrin structures that leads to a mistaken attribution of the red shift to IPNR). The effect of nonplanar deformations on the UV-visible absorption bands is then probed experimentally with a series of novel bridled nickel chiroporphyrins. In these compounds, the substituent effect is essentially invariant and the amount of nonplanar deformation decreases as the length of the straps connecting adjacent meso-cyclopropyl substituents decreases (the opposite of the effect observed for conventional strapped porphyrins). Several spectroscopic markers for nonplanarity (UV-visible bands, resonance Raman lines, and (1)H NMR resonances) are found to correlate with time-averaged deformations obtained from an NSD analysis of molecular dynamics snapshot structures. These results suggest that UV-visible band shifts of tetrapyrroles in proteins are potentially useful indicators of changes in nonplanarity provided other structural and electronic factors can be eliminated.     

Electrochemical studies of corrphycenes and metallocorrphycenes

Corrphycene 3 (Cn) is a structural isomer of porphyrin 1 that was synthesized for the first time 5 years ago. This paper reports on the redox properties of free-base octaethylcorrphycene H2OECn and 16 metal complexes derived therefrom. In CH2Cl2 solution, the free base and the metallo(II) octaethylcorrphycenes, M(II)OECn, typically undergo four distinct one-electron redox steps involving the tetrapyrrolic macrocycle, of which two are reduction steps and two are oxidations. One exception to this general pattern is displayed by the Co(II)OECn complex. In this instance, the first one-electron reduction is metal-centered and produces Co(I)OECn. A comparison of the redox potentials of corrphycenes with those of porphyrins and porphycenes indicates that the first reduction potentials of the free base and of the metallo-octaethylcorrphycenes are between those of the porphycenes-the easiest to reduce molecules in this set of isomeric tetrapyrrolic systems-and those of the porphyrins. The oxidation potentials of corrphycenes and porphyrins are found to be quite similar. On the other hand, porphycenes are oxidized at less positive potentials. The redox gap deltaE1/2 = E1/2Ox1 - E1/2Red1 is equal to 2.15 +/- 0.08 V for the free base corrphycene and the various metallocorrphycenes that were subjected to study. This redox gap is not much different from that observed in porphyrins (deltaE1/2 = 2.25 +/- 0.1 V), whereas if differs significantly from that observed in porphycenes (deltaE1/2 = 1.85 +/- 0.15 V). The sequence of these deltaE1/2 values parallels the lowest energy absorption maxima observed in the UV-vis spectra of these three isomers.     

Androgynous porphyrins. Silver(II) quinoxalinoporphyrins act as both good electron donors and acceptors

The metal-centered and macrocycle-centered electron-transfer oxidations and reductions of silver(II) porphyrins were characterized in nonaqueous media by electrochemistry, UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The investigated compounds are {5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrinato}silver(II), {5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)quinoxalino[2,3-b']porphyrinato}silver(II), {5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)bisquinoxalino[2,3-b':7,8-b']porphyrinato}silver(II), and {5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)bisquinoxalino[2,3-b':12,13-b']porphyrinato}silver(II). The first one-electron oxidation and first one-electron reduction both occur at the metal center to produce stable compounds with Ag(III) or Ag(I) metal oxidation states, irrespective of the type of porphyrin ligand. The electrochemical HOMO-LUMO gap, determined by the difference in the first oxidation and first reduction potentials, decreases by introduction of quinoxaline groups fused to the Ag(II) porphyrin macrocycle. This provides a unique androgynous character to Ag(II) quinoxalinoporphyrins that enables them to act as both good electron donors and good electron acceptors, something not previously observed in other metalloporphyrin complexes. The second one-electron oxidation and second one-electron reduction of the compounds both occur at the porphyrin macrocycle to produce Ag(III) porphyrin pi-radical cations and Ag(I) porphyrin pi-radical anions, respectively. The macrocycle-centered oxidation potentials of each quinoxalinoporphyrin are shifted in a negative direction, while the macrocycle-centered reduction potentials are shifted in a positive direction as compared to the same electrode reactions of the porphyrin without the fused quinoxaline ring(s). Both potential shifts are due to a stabilization of the radical cations and radical anions by pi-extension of the porphyrin macrocycle after fusion of one or two quinoxaline moieties at the beta-pyrrolic positions of the macrocycle. Introduction of quinoxaline groups fused to the Ag(II) porphyrin macrocycle provides a unique androgynous character to Ag(II) quinoxalinoporphyrins that enables them to act as both good electron donors and good electron acceptors.     

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.     

Planar and Nonplanar Free‐Base Tetraarylporphyrins: β‐Pyrrole Substituents and Geometric Effects on Electrochemistry,Spectroelectrochemistry, and Protonation/Deprotonation Reactions in Nonaqueous Media

A series of planar and nonplanar free‐base β‐pyrrole substituted meso‐tetraarylporphyrins were characterized by electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, and protonation or deprotonation reactions in neutral, acidic, and basic solutions of CH₂Cl₂. The neutral compounds are represented as H₂(P), in which P represents a porphyrin dianion with one of several different sets of electron‐withdrawing or ‐donating substituents at the messo and/or β‐pyrrole positions of the macrocycle. The conversion of H₂(P) to [H₄(P)]²⁺ in CH₂Cl₂ was accomplished by titration of the neutral porphyrin with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) while the progress of the protonation was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy, which was also used to calculate logβ₂ for proton addition to the core nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle. Cyclic voltammetry was performed after each addition of TFA or TBAOH to CH₂Cl₂ solutions of the porphyrin and half‐wave potentials for reduction were evaluated as a function of the added acid or base concentration. Thin‐layer spectroelectrochemistry was used to obtain UV/Vis spectra of the neutral and protonated or deprotonated porphyrins under the application of an applied reducing potential. The magnitude of the protonation constants, the positions of λ_max in the UV/Vis spectra and the half‐wave or peak potentials for reduction are then related to the electronic properties of the porphyrin and the data evaluated as a function of the planarity or nonplanarity of the porphyrin macrocycle. Surprisingly, the electroreduction of the diprotonated nonplanar porphyrins in acid media leads to H₂(P), whereas the nonplanar H₂(P) derivatives are reduced to [(P)]^2? in CH₂Cl₂ containing 0.1 M tetra‐n‐butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP). Thus, in both cases an electrochemically initiated deprotonation is observed.     

Effect of Solvent and Protonation/Deprotonation on Electrochemistry,Spectroelectrochemistry and Electron‐Transfer Mechanisms of N‐Confused Tetraarylporphyrins in Nonaqueous Media

A series of N‐confused free‐base meso‐substituted tetraarylporphyrins was investigated by electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry in nonaqueous media containing 0.1 M tetra‐n‐butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) and added acid or base. The investigated compounds are represented as (XPh)₄NcpH₂, in which “Ncp” is the N‐confused porphyrin macrocycle and X is a OCH₃, CH₃, H, or Cl substituent on the para position of each meso‐phenyl ring of the macrocycle. Two distinct types of UV/Vis spectra are initially observed depending upon solvent, one corresponding to an inner‐2H form and the other to an inner‐3H form of the porphyrin. Both forms have an inverted pyrrole with a carbon inside the cavity and a nitrogen on the periphery of the π‐system. Each porphyrin undergoes multiple irreversible reductions and oxidations. The first one‐electron addition and first one‐electron abstraction are located on the porphyrin π‐ring system to give π‐anion and π‐cation radicals with a potential separation of 1.52 to 1.65 V between the two processes, but both electrogenerated products are unstable and undergo a rapid chemical reaction to give new electroactive species, which were characterized in the present study. The effect of the solvent and protonation/deprotonation reactions on the UV/Vis spectra, redox potentials and reduction/oxidation mechanisms is discussed with comparisons made to data and mechanisms for the structurally related free‐base corroles and porphyrins.     

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.     

Photophysical investigation of neutral and diprotonated free-base bis(arylethynyl)porphyrins

The photophysical properties for a series of free-base arylethynyl porphyrins and the corresponding trans-disubstituted tetraphenylporphyrin (H(2)TPP) derivatives lacking arylethynyl functionalities have been studied via electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy in both neutral and diacid forms. Enhanced substituent effects on porphyrin absorption spectra are observed in the arylethynyl porphyrins relative to the H(2)TPP derivatives, owing to the presence of the ethynyl spacer that allows for a coplanar geometry between the porphyrin macrocycle and the appended phenyl substituents. Upon protonation, both series of porphyrins exhibit substantially red shifted absorption and emission spectra and enhanced oscillator strengths, with the magnitude of the spectral shifts being more substantial in the presence of the ethynyl functionalities. Spectral features of the arylethynyl porphyrin bearing p-dimethylamino substituents closely resemble those previously classified as "hyperporphyrin spectra" and are indicative of excited-state charge-transfer character. Protonation of both series of porphyrins results in reduced fluorescence lifetimes and enhanced nonradiative decay rates, and the impact of protonation on these parameters is attenuated in the presence of the arylethynyl functionalities. Our results coupled with previous structural data showing that arylethynyl porphyrins exhibit less structural distortion upon diacid formation relative to H(2)TPP further substantiate the proposal that significant alteration of porphyrin photophysical properties upon diacid formation can be attributed to nonplanar structural distortions induced by protonation.     

Disproportionation of Iron(III) Porphyrin pi-Cation Radicals in the Presence of Sterically Hindered Pyridines. Spectroscopic Detection of Asymmetric Highly Oxidized Intermediates

The reactivity of iron(III) tetraphenylporphyrin pi-cation radical (TPP(*))Fe(III)(ClO(4))(2), (1-1) iron(III) tetra-p-tolylporphyrin pi-cation radical (TTP(*))Fe(III)(ClO(4))(2) (1-2) and iron(III) tetramesitylporphyrin pi-cation radical (TMP(*))Fe(III)(ClO(4))(2) (1-3) complexes with 2,4,6-collidine, 2,3,6-collidine, 2-picoline, 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine, and 2,6-dibromopyridine has been examined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy in dichloromethane-d(2) solution at low temperatures. These complexes undergo hydration processes which are essential in the generation of highly oxidized species via acid base/equilibria of coordinated water followed by disproportionation pathway, giving as sole stable products [(TPP(*))Fe(III)OFe(III)(TPP)](+) (4-1), [(TTP(*))Fe(III)OFe(III)(TTP)](+) (4-2), and (TMP)Fe(III)(OH) (6) respectively. The sterically hindered pyridines act as efficient proton scavengers. Two novel highly oxidized iron complexes have been detected by (1)H NMR spectroscopy after addition of 2,4,6-collidine to (TTP(*))Fe(III)(ClO(4))(2) or (TPP(*))Fe(III)(ClO(4))(2) in dichloromethane-d(2) solution at 202 K. New intermediates have been identified as iron porphyrin N-oxide complexes, i.e., iron(III) porphyrin N-oxide cation radical (2-n) and iron(IV) porphyrin N-oxide radical (3-n). The (1)H NMR results indicate that the D(4)(h)() symmetry of the parent iron(III) pi-cation radical is drastically reduced upon disproportionation in the presence of proton scavengers. Both species are very unstable and were observed from 176 to 232 K. The intermediate 2-2 has a (1)H NMR spectrum which demonstrates large hyperfine shifts (ppm) for the meso p-tolyl substituents (ortho 98.0, 94.8, 92.9, 91.7; meta -34.8, -38.7, -41.5, -42.3; p-CH(3) -86.3, -88.0) which are consistent with presence of an N-substituted iron porphyrin radical in the product mixture. The characteristic (1)H NMR spectrum of 2-2 includes six pyrrole resonances at 149.6, 118.2, 115.4, 88.3, 64.6, and 55.7 ppm at 202 K, i.e., in the positions corresponding to iron(III) high-spin porphyrins. On warming to 222 K, the pyrrole resonances broaden and then coalesce pairwaise. Such dynamic behavior is accounted for by a rearrangement mechanism which involves an inversion of the porphyrin puckering. The pattern of p-tolyl resonances revealed the cation radical electronic structure of 3-2. The p-tolyl resonances are divided in two distinct sets showing opposite direction of the isotropic shift for the same ring positions. The pyrrole resonances of 3-2 also demonstrated downfield and upfield shifts. A disproportionation mechanism of the hydrated iron porphyrin cation radicals to generate 2 and 3 has been proposed. Both intermediates react with triphenylphosphine to produce triphenylphosphine oxide and high-spin iron porphyrins. Addition of 2,4,6-collidine to (TMP(*))Fe(III)(ClO(4))(2) does not produce analogs of 2 and 3 found for sterically unprotected porphyrins. It results instead in the formation of a variety of X(TMP(*))Fe(IV)O (5) complexes also accounted for by the disproportionation process.     

Unusual Stabilization of Dication Diradical Intermediate of Dizinc(II) Porphyrin Dimer

We have demonstrated here how the nature of a metal ion controls the reactivity of a metalloporphyrin π‐cation radical. One‐electron oxidations of diethylpyrrole‐bridged dicopper(II) and dipalladium(II) porphyrin dimers using iodine as an oxidant result in the formation of strongly interacting cofacial mixed‐valent π‐cation radical dimers. The mixed‐valent cation radical so generated being highly reactive drives a spontaneous and rapid transformation to form an indolizinium‐fused chlorin‐porphyrin heterodimer. In sharp contrast to this, similar addition of iodine leads to 1e‐oxidation of dizinc(II) porphyrin dimer, which is followed by a second oxidation to produce a dication diradical complex. The axial coordination of iodine upon 1e‐oxidation of dizinc(II) porphyrin dimer lowers the overall oxidation potential of the system, and thereby, making the second oxidation easily accessible. This has resulted in the stabilization of a dication diradical complex, in which two porphyrin π‐cation radicals undergo electronic communication through the bridging pyrrole group. Interestingly, despite being well‐separated from each other, the two radical spins undergo strong antiferromagnetic coupling to form a diamagnetic compound. The conjugation also leads to a change in identity of the bridge, which further highlights the critical role played by the bridge in the electronic communication between the two rings. DFT calculations clearly support the experimental observations.     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Spectroelectrochemistry of Cobalt Porphyrins Containing Axially Bound Nitric Oxide

Several cobalt nitrosyl porphyrins of the form (T(p/m-X)PP)Co(NO) (p/m-X = p-OCH(3) (1), p-CH(3) (2), m-CH(3) (3), p-H (4), m-OCH(3) (5), p-OCF(3) (6), p-CF(3) (7), p-CN (8)) have been synthesized in 30-85% yields by reaction of the precursor cobalt porphyrin with nitric oxide. Compounds 1-7 were also prepared by reaction of the precursor cobalt porphyrin with nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate followed by reduction with cobaltocene. Compounds 1-8 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and UV-vis spectrophotometry. They are diamagnetic and display nu(NO) bands in CH(2)Cl(2) between 1681 and 1695 cm(-)(1). The molecular structure of 1, determined by a single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis, reveals a Co-N-O angle of 119.6(4) degrees. Crystals of 1 are monoclinic, P2/c, with a = 15.052(1) ?, b = 9.390(1) ?, c = 16.274(2) ?, beta = 111.04(1) degrees, V = 2146.8(4) ?(3), Z = 2, T = 228(2) K, D(calcd) = 1.271 g cm(-)(3), and final R1 = 0.0599 (wR2 = 0.1567, GOF = 1.054) for 3330 "observed" reflections with I >/= 2sigma(I). Cyclic voltammetry studies in CH(2)Cl(2) reveal that compounds 1-7 undergo two reversible oxidations and two reversible reductions at low temperature. This is not the case for compound 8, which undergoes two reversible reductions but an irreversible oxidation due to adsorption of the oxidized product onto the electrode surface. Combined electrochemistry-infrared studies demonstrate that each of the compounds 1-7 undergoes a first oxidation at the porphyrin pi ring system and a first reduction at either the metal center or the nitrosyl axial ligand. The formulation for the singly oxidized products of compounds 1-7 as porphyrin pi-cation radicals was confirmed by the presence of bands in the 1289-1294 cm(-)(1) region (for compounds 1-5), which are diagnostic IR bands for generation of tetraarylporphyrin pi-cation radicals.     

Porphyrin-triarylamine conjugates: strong electronic communication between triarylamine redox centers via the porphyrin dication

A set of porphyrin-triarylamine hybrids have been synthesized in good yield by Sonogashira palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions between the zinc complex of 5,15-diethynyl-10,20-dimesitylporphyrin and the appropriate iodophenyldiarylamines. The crystal structure of porphyrin 1 shows that the dihedral angle between the acetylene-bonded benzene rings and the porphyrin macrocycle is 20.0 degrees. Such a structural characteristic enables effective electronic perturbations within the molecule. The electronic spectra are red-shifted and display a broad Soret band and an intense Q band relative to those of meso-substituted tetraarylporphyrins. These conjugates display four oxidations and one reduction. All the electrochemical reactions involve one-electron transfer. The first and second oxidations are reversible and can be assigned to the porphyrin-centered reactions. The third and fourth ones, separated by about 270 mV, correspond to the triarylamine units. The comproportionation constant (Kc) is calculated to be 3.67x10(4). The electron coupling between the triarylamine moieties, at a separation of >23 A, is remarkably strong. The electrochemical results and the absorption spectra show that the electronic characteristics of these porphyrins can be significantly modulated by the triarylamine substituents via the conjugated carbon-carbon triple bond. Variations of the substituents on the triarylamines can fine-tune the electronic properties of these molecules.     

Unusual multi-step sequential Au(III)/Au(II) processes of gold(III) quinoxalinoporphyrins in acidic non-aqueous media

The electrochemistry of gold(III) mono- and bis-quinoxalinoporphyrins was examined in CH(2)Cl(2) or PhCN containing 0.1 M tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) before and after the addition of trifluoroacetic acid to solution. The investigated porphyrins are represented as Au(PQ)PF(6) and Au(QPQ)PF(6), where P is the dianion of the 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrin and Q is a quinoxaline group fused to a β,β'-pyrrolic position of the porphyrin macrocycle; in Au(QPQ)PF(6) there is a linear arrangement where the quinoxalines are fused to pyrrolic positions that are opposite each other. The porphyrin without the fused quinoxaline groups, Au(P)PF(6), was also investigated under the same solution conditions. In the absence of acid, all three gold(III) porphyrins undergo a single reversible Au(III)/Au(II) process leading to the formation of a Au(II) porphyrin which can be further reduced at more negative potentials to give stepwise the Au(II) porphyrin π-anion radical and dianion, respectively. However, in the presence of acid, the initial Au(III)/Au(II) processes of Au(PQ)PF(6) and Au(QPQ)PF(6) are followed by an internal electron transfer and protonation to regenerate new Au(III) porphyrins assigned as Au(III)(PQH)(+) and Au(III)(QPQH)(+). Both protonated gold(III) quinoxalinoporphyrins then undergo a second Au(III)/Au(II) process at more negative potentials. The electrogenerated monoprotonated monoquinoxalinoporphyrin, Au(II)(PQH), is then further reduced to its π-anion radical and dianion forms, but this is not the case for the monoprotonated bis-quinoxalinoporphyrin, Au(II)(QPQH), which accepts a second proton and is rapidly converted to Au(III)(HQPQH)(+) before undergoing a third Au(III)/Au(II) process to produce Au(II)(HQPQH) as a final product. Thus, Au(P)PF(6) undergoes one metal-centered reduction while Au(PQ)PF(6) and Au(QPQ)PF(6) exhibit two and three Au(III)/Au(II) processes, respectively. These unusual multistep sequential Au(III)/Au(II) processes were monitored by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry and a reduction/oxidation mechanism for Au(PQ)PF(6) and Au(QPQ)PF(6) in acidic media is proposed.     

Enhanced Four-Electron Oxygen Reduction Selectivity of Clamp-Shaped Cobalt(II) Porphyrin(2.1.2.1) Complexes

The molecular structure, electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry and electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) features of two Co^II porphyrin(2.1.2.1) complexes bearing Ph or F₅Ph groups at the two meso-positions of the macrocycle are examined. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveal a highly bent, nonplanar macrocyclic conformation of the complex resulting in clamp-shaped molecular structures. Cyclic voltammetry paired with UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry in PhCN/0.1 M TBAP suggest that the first electron addition corresponds to a macrocyclic-centered reduction while spectral changes observed during the first oxidation are consistent with a metal-centered Co^II/Co^III process. The activity of the clamp-shaped complexes towards heterogeneous ORR in 0.1 M KOH show selectivity towards the 4e⁻ ORR pathway giving H₂O. DFT first-principle calculations on the porphyrin catalyst indicates a lower overpotential for 4e⁻ ORR as compared to the 2e⁻ pathway, consistent with experimental data.     

Unusual aryl-porphyrin rotational barriers in peripherally crowded porphyrins

Previous studies of 5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrins have shown that the barrier for meso aryl-porphyrin rotation (DeltaG++(ROT)) varies as a function of the core substituent M and is lower for a small metal (M = Ni) compared to a large metal (M = Zn) and for a dication (M = 4H(2+)) versus a free base porphyrin (M = 2H). This has been attributed to changes in the nonplanar distortion of the porphyrin ring and the deformability of the macrocycle caused by the core substituent. In the present work, X-ray crystallography, molecular mechanics (MM) calculations, and variable temperature (VT) (1)H NMR spectroscopy are used to examine the relationship between the aryl-porphyrin rotational barrier and the core substituent M in some novel 2,3,5,7,8,10,12,13,15,17,18,20-dodecaarylporphyrins (DArPs), and specifically in some 5,10,15,20-tetraaryl-2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaphenylporphyrins (TArOPPs), where steric crowding of the peripheral groups always results in a very nonplanar macrocycle. X-ray structures of DArPs indicate differences in the nonplanar conformation of the macrocycle as a function of M, with saddle conformations being observed for M = Zn, 2H or M = 4H(2+) and saddle and/or ruffle conformations for M = Ni. VT NMR studies show that the effect of protonation in the TArOPPs is to increase DeltaG++(ROT), which is the opposite of the effect seen for the TArPs, and MM calculations also predict a strikingly high barrier for the TArOPPs when M = 4H(2+). These and other findings suggest that the aryl-porphyrin rotational barriers in the DArPs are closely linked to the deformability of the macrocycle along a nonplanar distortion mode which moves the substituent being rotated out of the porphyrin plane.