Dipyrromethane + dipyrromethanedicarbinol routes to an electron deficient meso-substituted phlorin with enhanced stability

Two dipyrromethane + dipyrromethanedicarbinol routes to a meso-substituted phlorin bearing electron-withdrawing pentafluorophenyl substituents (TpFPPhl) were investigated in an attempt to obtain a phlorin with enhanced stability toward light and air and to explore the application of dipyrromethanecarbinol chemistry to the preparation of phlorins. For each route, a systematic survey of reaction parameters for the two-step, one-flask reaction leading to TpFPPhl was performed. The analytical-scale reactions were monitored for yield of TpFPPhl by HPLC. Sharp differences were observed in the yield of TpFPPhl afforded by the two synthetic routes. The most promising reaction condition (TFA catalysis, 100 mM) was performed on a preparative scale providing TpFPPhl in a yield of 45% (189 mg). The stability of the electron-deficient phlorin in dilute solution upon exposure to light and air was probed in a number of solvents, and decomposition was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy and HPLC. Many of the solutions of TpFPPhl were found to be quite stable for periods of approximately 8 h, with decomposition requiring exposure periods of several days. Taken together, this work contributes an efficient synthesis of a meso-substituted phlorin of practical stability and provides further insights toward the adaptation of dipyrromethanecarbinol chemistry to the preparation of diverse porphyrinoids.     

Spectroelectrochemical Investigation of the One‐Electron Reduction of Nonplanar Nickel(II) Porphyrins

The electrochemical reduction of a series of nickel porphyrins with an increasing number of substituents was investigated in acetonitrile. A one‐electron reduction of [5,15‐bis(1‐ethylpropyl)porphyrinato]nickel(II) leads to π‐anion radicals and to efficient formation of phlorin anions, presumably by disproportionation and subsequent protonation of the doubly reduced species. The phlorin anion was identified by using cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis and resonance Raman spectroelectrochemistry, complemented by quantum‐chemical calculations to assign the spectral signatures. The theoretical analysis of the potential‐energy landscape of the singly reduced species suggests a thermally activated intersystem crossing that populates the quartet state and thus lowers the energy barrier towards disproportionation channels. Structure–reactivity correlations are investigated by considering different substitution patterns of the investigated nickel(II) porphyrin cores, that is, for the porphyrin with additional β‐aryl ([5,15‐bis(1‐ethylpropyl)‐2,8,12,18‐tetra(p‐tolyl)porphyrinato]nickel(II)) and meso‐alkyl substitution ([5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(1‐ethylpropyl)porphyrinato]nickel(II)), no phlorin anion formation was observed under electrochemical conditions. This observation is correlated either to kinetic inhibition of the disproportionation reaction or to lower reactivity of the subsequently formed doubly reduced species towards protonation.     

Mechanistic studies on the nucleophilic reaction of porphyrins with organolithium reagents.

Porphyrins react readily with organolithium reagents under substitution of free meso positions. As this method has proven to be very versatile for the preparation of a wide range of meso substituted porphyrins, a mechanistic study of the reaction was undertaken using 5,15-diaryl- and dialkyl substituted porphyrins, 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrin, and the respective nickel(II) complexes. A combination of deuteration experiments, electronic absorption spectroscopy of the reactive intermediates, trapping of intermediates with organic electrophiles, and reaction at different pH values showed significant differences in the reaction pathways of free base porphyrins and metalloporphyrins. In both cases the reaction proceeds initially under formation of phlorin like intermediates which are stable in water. For the Ni(II)phlorins a mesomeric carbanionic form with a highly distorted structure exists that can react as a nucleophile with electrophiles such as RI, H+, or D+. In the latter case a protonation-deprotonation equilibrium involving porphodimethen intermediates has to be assumed. Free base phlorins do not react as nucleophiles but can undergo H/D exchange reactions in strongly acidic media.     

Pyrazole analogues of porphyrins and oxophlorins

A series of porphyrin analogues with pyrazole rings replacing one of the usual pyrrole subunits have been synthesized. This was accomplished by reacting 1-phenyl, 1-methyl and 1-ethyl pyrazole-1,3-dicarbaldehydes with a tripyrrane in the presence of TFA, followed by an oxidation step. The initially formed phlorin product was sufficiently stable for the N-phenyl system to be isolated and characterized, although the related N-alkyl phlorin analogues were less stable. Attempts to dehydrogenate the intermediary phlorins with DDQ resulted in decomposition, but the N-alkylphlorins could be oxidized with 0.2% aqueous ferric chloride solutions. Although the phenyl-substituted phlorin could not be oxidized under these conditions, it did afford the pyrazoloporphyrin upon treatment with silver acetate under acidic conditions. Oxidations with silver acetate also afforded oxophlorin analogues where the oxo-linkage was selectively formed at the 5-position. The pyrazole-containing porphyrin analogues are cross-conjugated and exhibit only a small degree of diatropic character. The internal CH resonances were observed between 5.27 and 5.87 ppm, while the external meso-protons fell into a range of 6.84-7.88 ppm. The borderline overall aromatic character was attributed to dipolar resonance contributors. Protonation considerably increased the diatropicity and the diprotonated dications formed from these porphyrin analogues gave the internal CH resonance at upfield values of 2.65-3.20 ppm. The aromatic character was enhanced by the presence of an electron-donating alkyl substituent on the nitrogen compared to the phenyl-substituted species. The pyrazoloporphyrins reacted with nickel(II) acetate in DMF, or palladium(II) acetate in acetonitrile, to give the corresponding organometallic derivatives. The metal complexes showed increased diatropic character but protonation afforded nonaromatic cations. The oxophlorin analogues were also nonaromatic in the free base and protonated forms. This work extends our understanding of carbaporphyrinoid systems and provides the first detailed studies on pyrazole-containing porphyrin analogues.     

Radiolysis of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)-porphyrin or 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin in aqueous solution in the presence and in the absence of DNA or human serum albumin

The reduction of two free-base ionic porphyrins: 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)-porphyrin (TMPyP) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin (TSPP) by the hydrated electron was studied under neutral pH in aqueous solution in the absence and in the presence of biomolecules, DNA or HSA. Pulse radiolysis studies provided the spectra of the short-lived π-radical anions and steady-state radiolysis led to formation of stable phlorin or chlorin, the products of two-electron reduction and protonation at a meso and a pyrrolic nitrogen positions or at two β-pyrrole positions, respectively. Identification of the final reduction products was based on their reactivity to molecular oxygen—the phlorin, contrary to chlorine, was oxidized rapidly by O₂ to recover the original porphyrin. The stable product of TMPyP reduction was the phlorin, whereas for TSPP the chlorine and the phlorin were obtained. Addition of biomolecules to the solution resulted in changes of the porphyrins spectroscopic properties and in the decrease in rates of the occurring reduction processes proceeding with participation of the porphyrins.     

Regioselective synthesis of functionally hindered α-methylstyrenes through ring transformation of 2H-pyran-2-ones with mesityl oxide

A regioselective synthesis of α-methylstyrenes with electron-withdrawing or -donating substituents is described and illustrated by carbanion-induced ring transformation of 2H-pyran-2-one with mesityl oxide in excellent yield. The potential of the reaction lies in the creation of an aromatic ring possessing an isopropenyl unit from six-membered lactones at room temperature under mild reaction conditions.     

Cyclic-tri(N-methyl-meta-benzamide)s: substituent effects on the bowl-shaped conformation in the crystal and solution states

Cyclic trimers of 3-(N-alkylamino)benzoic acid (calix[3]amides) with various substituents at the meta position of the phenyl rings were synthesized and the effects of the substituents on the crystal structures and energy profiles in solution were examined. The calixamides existed in a syn conformation in the crystal state, and this was also the major conformation in solution, especially in polar solvents. The energy barrier between syn and anti conformers in the solution was not significantly affected by substituents (12.7-14.0 kcal/mol). The effect of the substituent on the temperature dependence of the syn/anti ratio are discussed.     

Syntheses and structures of the cobalt, nickel, and zinc complexes with 1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene ligands

Several cobalt(II), nickel(II), and zinc(II) complexes with a series of ligands of the 1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene type bearing aryl (2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl, mesityl) and alkyl (tert-butyl, iso-propyl) substituents at the nitrogen atoms are synthesized. The obtained complexes are characterized by X-ray structure analysis, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.     

Synthesis and structures of cyclopentadienyl N-heterocyclic carbene copper(I) complexes

A series of cyclopentadienyl N-heterocyclic carbene copper complexes CpCu(NHC) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The effect of the substituents at the nitrogen atom of the NHC ligands on the structures and thermally stability was discussed.     

Photochemistry of metalloporphyrins in aqueous solutions

The fluorescence spectra of Ga(III), In(III), Ge(IV) and Sn(IV) tetramethyl pyridine porphyrin showed a small stokes shift ca 400 ± 100 cm⁻¹ attributed to the similarity between their ground and excited states. The one and two electron reduction products of the metalloporphyrins were studied by steady-state method. The nature of the product was dependent upon the pH of the reaction medium. Chlorin and phlorin were obtained at low and high pH's, respectively. Sn TMPyP was the only metalloporphyrin which yielded the Π-radical anion whose stability is due to the high electronegativity of Sn(IV).     

A diastereoselective construction of pyrazinoisoquinoline skeletons via tandem cyclization of phenylalanine derivatives: a facile synthesis of optically active pyrazinoisoquinolines

A facile and stereocontrolled construction of optically active pyrazinoisoquinoline skeletons based on tandem cyclization of enantiopure phenylalanine derivatives was examined. The reaction provided optically active 6,11b-trans pyrazinoisoquinoline ring systems in excellent diastereoselectivity, and this method was applicable to the cyclization of phenylalanine derivatives with diverse substituents.     

Ion-selective Dyes for the Complexation of Alkali and Alkaline Earth Cations

Abstract

The interactions of ion-selective dyes with alkali and alkaline earth cations in methanol have been investigated quantitatively. Both dyes examined are able to complex these cations selectively. From the spectral changes the stability constants of the complexes formed are calculated. The substituents at the nitrogen atoms of the diaza crown ethers obviously influence the stability of the complexes.     

Tuning the electronic structure of diboradiferrocenes

A series of diboradiferrocenes with different aryl substituents was prepared through reaction of B,B-dichlorodiboradiferrocene with arylcopper and Grignard reagents. The mesityl and pentafluorophenyl derivatives, - and -, were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography, and their electronic structure was examined by UV-visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. A comparison of the data for - and - with those of the parent compound - revealed the importance of electronic and steric effects of the substituents on the electronic structure of the compounds and ultimately the degree of electronic interaction between the two ferrocene moieties. An unusually large redox splitting of DeltaE = 703 mV was determined from the cyclic voltammogram of -.     

Cleavage of Unstrained C−C Bonds in Acenes by Boron and Light: Transformation of Naphthalene into Benzoborepin

Naphthalene and acenaphthene with peri 2‐py and BMes₂ (py=pyridyl, Mes=mesityl) substituents have been found to undergo facile phototransformation, cleavage of a C−C bond of naphthalene, and formation of 2‐py‐bound benzoborepins as the major products. Mechanistic pathways of this photoreaction have been established by examination of both excited and ground states by using CASSCF and CASPT2 methods in DFT and time‐dependent DFT calculations. The mesityl to py‐naphthyl charge‐transfer transition and the mesityl migration from the boron atom to the naphthyl moiety drive this unprecedented C−C bond cleavage and boron‐insertion reaction.     

Optochemical sensing of hydrogen chloride gas using meso-tetramesitylporphyrin deposited glass plate

Meso-tetramesitylporphyrin (MTMP) deposited glass plate (solid state sensor) was used to sense hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas based on optochemical method. Exposure of the solid state sensor to HCl vapor results in the formation of protonated meso-tetramesitylporphyrin (PMTMP). UV-vis and fluorescence spectral techniques were used to study the protonation of MTMP in dichloromethane-methanol mixture. The optical spectra of MTMP show an intense Soret band at 418 nm with a 14 nm red shift upon protonation by HCl. Ab-initio calculations were carried out to visualize the effect of protonation on planarity and stability of the porphyrin ring. The solid state sensor was characterized by UV-vis spectral technique. The sensor exhibits characteristic Soret and Q bands for the deposited MTMP with slight red shift when compared to MTMP in dichloromethane. The concentration of gaseous HCl was monitored from the changes in the absorbance of Soret band of PMTMP at 452 nm. The detection limit of the solid state sensor towards gaseous HCl was found to be 0.03 ppm. The present solid state sensor was highly stable for several months.     

Sterically Allowed H-type Supramolecular Polymerizations

The functionalization of π-conjugated scaffolds with sterically demanding substituents is a widely used tactic to suppress cofacial (H-type) stacking interactions, which may even inhibit self-assembly. Contrary to expectations, we demonstrate herein that increasing steric effects can result in an enhanced thermodynamic stability of H-type supramolecular polymers. In our approach, we have investigated two boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes with bulky phenyl ( 2 ) and mesityl ( 3 ) meso-substituents and compared their self-assembly in nonpolar media with that of a parent meso-methyl BODIPY 1 lacking bulky groups. While the enhanced steric demand induces pathway complexity, the superior thermodynamic stability of the H-type pathways can be rationalized in terms of additional enthalpic gain arising from intermolecular C−H⋅⋅⋅F−B interactions of the orthogonally arranged aromatic substituents, which overrule their inherent steric demand. Our findings underline the importance of balancing competing non-covalent interactions in self-assembly.     

Synthesis,Spectroscopic Properties,and Crystal Structure of 2,2′‐Bipyridyldimesitylnickel(II)

The dimesitylnickel(II) complex [(bpy)NiMes₂] (Mes = mesityl = 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl) was prepared and examined spectroscopically and electrochemically. The crystal and molecular structure was determined from single crystal X‐Ray diffraction experiments (monoclinic, P2₁/n, Z = 4, a = 8.3092(8) Å, b = 18.233(2) Å, c = 15.226(2) Å, β = 98.035(6)°). The nickel atom displays a distorted square planar environment. The axial positions of the square plane are shielded by each one of the methyl groups on the mesityl substituents. The complex shows electrochemical reduction processes that are mainly centered on the bpy ligand as inferred from spectroelectrochemical investigations (EPR and UV/Vis/NIR absorption) of the radical anion or dianion. The observed oxidation is assigned to a Ni^II/Ni^III couple. The title complex exhibits strongly solvatochromic longwavelength electronic absorptions.     

Taming the beast: fluoromesityl groups induce a dramatic stability enhancement in boroles

The electron-deficient pentaarylborole 1-(2′,4′,6′-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylborole (1) has been synthesised with the long-term aim of developing borole-based optoelectronic materials. The bulky 2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (FMes) group on the boron atom of 1 significantly improves (>600 times) its air stability relative to its mesityl analogue. Moreover, 1 shows good thermal stability without undergoing the dimerisation or isomerisation reactions reported for some other boroles. A triarylborole analogue (2), belonging to a new class of borole with the 3- and 4-positions of the BC₄ ring linked by a –(CH₂)₃– group, has also been synthesised to elucidate the influence of carbon-bonded substituents on the stability of boroles. Both boroles were prepared through the reaction of Li[FMesBF₃] and divinyldilithium reagents, a new and general method for borole syntheses. Compound 2 was found to isomerise through a [1,3]-H shift and double-bond rearrangement to an s-trans-butadienylborane species under highly basic (NaOH) conditions. The increased steric crowding at the boron centre through incorporation of the FMes group does not preclude binding of Lewis bases to either 1 or 2, as demonstrated by their fully reversible binding of pyridine. Interestingly, 1 exhibits a blue-shifted absorption spectrum, as compared with its mesityl analogue, a result contrary to previous understanding of the influence of substituent electronics on the absorption spectra of boroles. Most importantly, these boroles exhibit much greater air-stability than previously reported analogues without sacrificing the strong electron-accepting ability that makes boroles so attractive; indeed, 1 and 2 have very low reduction potentials of –1.52 and –1.69 eV vs. Fc/Fc⁺, respectively.     

Spectral Analysis of Poly(propyleneamine) Dendrimers Peripherally Modified with 1,8-Naphthalimides

Seven newly synthesized poly(propyleneamine) dendrimers, modified with 1,8-naphthalimides, have been investigated by infrared, UV-vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The influence of the nature of the substituents at the C-4 position of the naphthalene ring on the spectral properties of the dendrimers is discussed.     

Molecular structure,vibrational spectra,NBO analysis,first hyperpolarizability,and HOMO,LUMO studies of mesityl chloride by density functional methods

The FT-IR and FT-Raman vibrational spectra of mesityl chloride (2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl chloride) were recorded. The optimized geometry and wavenumbers in the ground state were calculated using density functional (B3LYP, and B3PW91) methods with standard 6-311G(d,p) basis set. The computed B3PW91/6-311G(d,p) results show the best agreement with the experimental values over the other methods. Natural bond orbital analysis of mesityl chloride is also carried out, which confirms the occurrence of strong intermolecular bonding, stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interactions, and charge delocalization. The electric dipole moment (μ), polarizability (α), and first hyperpolarizability (β₀) which results also show that the mesityl chloride might have microscopic non-linear optical behavior with non-zero values. The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies show that charge transfer occur in the molecule. The results of the calculations were applied to simulated spectra of the title compound, which show excellent agreement with observed spectra.