Metal–Ligand Misfits: Facile Access to Rhenium–Oxo Corroles by Oxidative Metalation

With the exception of a single accidental synthesis, rhenium corroles are unknown, but of great interest as catalysts and potential radiopharmaceuticals. Oxidative metalation of meso‐triarylcorroles with [Re₂(CO)₁₀] in refluxing decalin has provided a facile and relatively high‐yielding route to rhenium(V)–oxo corroles. The complexes synthesized could all be fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analyses.     

Nitrous‐Acid‐Mediated Synthesis of Iron–Nitrosyl–Porphyrin: pH‐Dependent Release of Nitric Oxide

Two iron–nitrosyl–porphyrins, nitrosyl[meso‐tetrakis(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenylporphyrin]iron(II) acetic acid solvate ( 3 ) and nitrosyl[meso‐tetrakis(4‐methoxyphenylporphyrin]iron(II) CH₂Cl₂ solvate ( 4 ), were synthesized in quantitative yield by using a modified procedure with nitrous acid, followed by oxygen‐atom abstraction by triphenylphosphine under an argon atmosphere. These nitrosyl porphyrins are in the {FeNO}⁷ class. Under an argon atmosphere, these compounds are relatively stable over a broad range of pH values (4–8) but, under aerobic conditions, they release nitric oxide faster at high pH values than that at low pH values. The generated nitric‐oxide‐free iron(III)–porphyrin can be re‐nitrosylated by using nitrous acid and triphenylphosphine. The rapid release of NO from these Fe^II complexes at high pH values seems to be similar to that in nitrophorin, a nitric‐oxide‐transport protein, which formally possesses Fe^III. However, because the release of NO occurs from ferrous–nitrosyl–porphyrin under aerobic conditions, these compounds are more closely related to nitrobindin, a recently discovered heme protein.     

meso‐Free BIII Subporphyrins with Electron‐donating Groups

meso‐Free B^III 5,10‐bis(p‐dimethylaminophenyl)subporphyrins were synthesized. They display red‐shifted absorption and fluorescence spectra, bathochromic behaviors in polar solvents, a high fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_F=0.57), and a small HOMO–LUMO gap mainly due to destabilized HOMO as compared with meso‐free B^III 5,10‐diphenylsubporphyrin. This subporphyrin serves as a nice precursor of various meso‐substituted B^III subporphyrins such as B^III meso‐nitrosubporphyrin, B^III meso‐aminosubporphyrin, and meso‐meso’ linked B^III azosubporphyrin dimer. Reactions of meso‐free B^III subporphyrins with NBS or bis(2,4,6‐trimethylpyridine)bromonium hexafluorophosphate gave meso‐meso′ linked subporphyrin dimers, often as a major product along with meso‐bromosubporphyrins.     

Mixed Boron(III) and Phosphorous(V) Complexes of meso‐Triaryl 25‐Oxasmaragdyrins

Two unprecedented mixed B^III/P^V complexes of meso‐triaryl 25‐oxasmaragdyrins were synthesized in appreciable yields under mild reaction conditions. These unusual 25‐oxasmaragdyrin complexes containing one or two seven‐membered heterocyclic rings comprised of five different atoms (B, C, N, O, and P) were prepared by reacting B(OH)(Ph)‐smaragdyrin and B(OH)₂‐smaragdyrin complexes, respectively, with POCl₃ in toluene at reflux temperature. The products were characterized by HRMS and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. X‐ray crystallography of one of the mixed B^III/P^V smaragdyrin complexes indicated that the macrocycle is significantly distorted and contains a stable seven‐membered heterocyclic ring within the macrocycle. The bands in the absorption and emission spectra were bathochromically shifted with reduced quantum yields and singlet‐state lifetimes relative to the free base, meso‐triaryl 25‐oxasmaragdyrin. The mixed B^III/P^V complexes were difficult to oxidize but easier to reduce than the free base. The DFT‐optimized structure of the 25‐oxasmaragdyrin complex with two seven‐membered heterocycles indicated that it was a bicyclic spiro compound with two half‐chair‐like conformers. This was in contrast to the chair‐like conformation of the complex with a single seven‐membered heterocyclic ring. Moreover, incorporation of a second phosphate group in the former case stabilized the bonding geometry and resulted in higher stability, which was reflected in the bathochromic shift of the absorption spectra, more‐positive oxidation potential, and less‐negative reduction potential.     

Large Porphyrin Squares from the Self‐Assembly of meso‐Triazole‐Appended L‐Shaped meso–meso‐Linked ZnII–Triporphyrins: Synthesis and Efficient Energy Transfer

meso‐Triazolyl‐appended Zn^II–porphyrins were readily prepared by Cu^I‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of benzyl azide to meso‐ethynylated Zn^II–porphyrin (click chemistry). In noncoordinating CHCl₃ solvent, spontaneous assembly occurred to form tetrameric array ( 3 )₂ from meso–meso‐linked diporphyrins 3 , and dodecameric porphyrin squares ( 4 )₄ and ( 5 )₄ from the L ‐shaped meso–meso‐linked triporphyrins 4 and 5 . The structures of these assemblies were examined by ¹H NMR spectra, absorption spectra, and their gel permeation chromatography (GPC) retention time. Furthermore, the structures of the dodecameric porphyrin squares ( 4 )₄ and ( 5 )₄ were probed by small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) measurements in solution using a synchrotron source. Excitation‐energy migration processes in these assemblies were also investigated in detail by using both steady‐state and time‐resolved spectroscopic methods, which revealed efficient excited‐energy transfer (EET) between the meso–meso‐linked Zn^II–porphyrin units that occurred with time constants of 1.5 ps^?1 for ( 3 )₂ and 8.8 ps^?1 for ( 5 )₄.     

Development of the Peripheral Functionalization Chemistry of meso-Free Corroles

In contrast to the extensive development of the meso-functionalization of porphyrins, that of corroles had rarely been explored until the development of practical synthetic methods for meso-free corroles in 2015. The ready availability of meso-free corroles opened up meso-functionalization chemistry of corroles, giving rise to successful synthesis of various meso-substituted corroles such as meso-halogen, meso-nitro, meso-amino, meso-oxo, and meso-iminocorroles as well as meso–meso-linked corrole dimers and corrole tapes. In some cases, 2NH corroles exist as stable or transient radical species. The impact of meso-functionalization on the structures, electronic properties, optical characteristics, and aromaticity of corroles are highlighted in this Minireview.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Azobenzene–Porphyrins

A new series of novel covalently connected meso‐tetrakis(3‐azophenyl‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)porphyrins were synthesized by linking azobenzene unit at the meta‐position of the meso‐phenyl group. These are characterized by UV–vis, IR, ¹H‐NMR, CHN, and FABMS spectroscopic techniques. All the porphyrin compounds showed a typical high energy Soret band at around 435 nm and azobenzene absorption at around 350 nm in UV–vis spectra. Fluorescence intensity of meso‐tetrakis(3‐(4‐methoxyazophenyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)porphyrin ( 2c ) has been observed to be maximum compared with other azobenzene porphyrins.     

Oxidative Metalation as a Route to Size‐Mismatched Macrocyclic Complexes: Osmium Corroles

Heavy‐element corroles are of great interest as optical sensors, near‐IR dyes, phosphors, organic light‐emitting diodes, and anticancer compounds. Insertion of 5d metals into corroles, however, is often a difficult and unpredictable process. Against this backdrop, oxidative metalation of meso triarylcorroles with [Os₃(CO)₁₂]/NaN₃ in refluxing 1:2 diethylene glycol monomethyl ether/glycol has provided a convenient and relatively high‐yielding route to nitridoosmium(VI) corroles, three of which could be characterized with single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis.     

Porphyrin–Phthalocyanine/Pyridylfullerene Supramolecular Assemblies

The synthesis and photophysical properties of several porphyrin (P)–phthalocyanine (Pc) conjugates (P–Pc; 1 – 3 ) are described, in which the phthalocyanines are directly linked to the β‐pyrrolic position of a meso‐tetraphenylporphyrin. Photoinduced energy‐ and electron‐transfer processes were studied through the preparation of H₂P–ZnPc, ZnP–ZnPc, and PdP–ZnPc conjugates, and their assembly through metal coordination with two different pyridylfulleropyrrolidines ( 4 and 5 ). The resulting electron‐donor–acceptor hybrids, which were formed by axial coordination of compounds 4 and 5 with the corresponding phthalocyanines, mimicked the fundamental processes of photosynthesis; that is, light harvesting, the transduction of excited‐state energy, and unidirectional electron transfer. In particular, photophysical studies confirmed that intramolecular energy‐transfer resulted from the S₂ excited state as well as from the S₁ excited state of the porphyrins to the energetically lower‐lying phthalocyanines, followed by an intramolecular charge‐transfer to yield P–Pc^.+ ? C₆₀^.?. This unique sequence of processes opens the way for solar‐energy‐conversion processes.     

Thermal stability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">meso</Emphasis>-substituted metal corroles in inert and oxidative media

The thermal stability of 5,10,15-triphenylcorrole as the simplest representative of meso-substituted corroles and its complexes with d-metals (Cu³⁺, Mn³⁺, Mn⁴⁺, Co³⁺, Co⁴⁺, and Zn²⁺) is studied for the first time via thermogravimetry in oxidizing and inert atmospheres. It is shown that corroles, both as free ligands and in the form of metal complexes, are less thermally stable than porphyrins with a similar structure. It is found that if the free ligands of porphyrins are thermally more stable with respect to thermal oxidation than d-metal complexes, the thermal stability of metal corroles can be both lower and higher than those of free ligands. It is concluded that the order of thermal stability of compounds MnCor < CoCor < H₃Cor < ZnCorH < CuCor is reversed upon moving from an oxidizing to an inert medium. It is shown that corroles complexes with many d-metals (Co, Mn, and others) readily participate in extracoordination reactions with electron-donating solvents, e.g., DMF, as is indicated by spectrophotometry and thermogravimetry.     

Tungsten Biscorroles: New Chiral Sandwich Compounds

The oxidative metalation method, involving the interaction of free‐base meso‐triarylcorroles and W(CO)₆ in refluxing decalin, led to a set of three tungsten(VI) biscorroles, the first homoleptic sandwich compounds involving corroles. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures of two of the complexes revealed square‐antiprismatic coordination and strongly domed corroles with long W?N distances of 2.15–2.22 Å and a substantial displacement of ～1.17 Å of the metal relative to the mean N₄ planes of the ligands. The structures correspond to approximate C₂ symmetry and are thus chiral. DFT calculations strongly indicate that the enantiomers are configurationally stable and hence amenable to chiral resolution. Their other notable properties include a strongly blueshifted Soret band at (357±2) nm, a relatively intense π→W(d ) near‐IR feature at (781±3) nm, and a low electrochemical HOMO–LUMO gap of approximately 1.3 V. The results obtained herein suggest that metallobiscorroles may emerge as a new class of inherently chiral chromophores with novel optical and electrochemical properties.     

Kinetic study and UV–Vis spectra of 1:2 complexation of free base para‐substituted meso‐tetraphenylporphyrins with trimethylsilyl chloride

The UV–Vis spectra for 1:2 complexation of four different para‐substituted meso‐tetraphenylporphyrin (H₂t(4‐X)pp) and meso‐tetraphenylporphyrins (H₂tpp) with trimethylsilyl chloride (TMSC) displayed large and different redshifts (28–32.4 nm) of Soret and (15–41.7 nm) Q_(0‐0) bands, whereas 1:2 complexation of the less flexible tetramesitylporphyrin (H₂tmp) with TMSC led to rather small redshift (24.8 nm) of the Soret band and blueshift (−7.4 nm) of the Q_(0‐0) band. The varying spectral behavior for the porphyrins complexation seems to essentially reflect the different extent of π‐interactions between the meso‐aryl groups and the presumably saddled porphyrin macrocycle, through their relative coplanarity. The observed order of the rate constants for the complexation of various para‐substituted porphyrins, H₂t(4‐OCH₃)pp (9.27 ± 0.03) × 10⁻³ > H₂t(4‐CH₃)pp (6.68 ± 0.05) × 10⁻³ > H₂tpp (3.2 ± 0.05) × 10⁻³ > H₂t(4‐Cl)pp (8.36 ± 0.06) × 10⁻⁴, clearly demonstrated a higher reaction rate for the porphyrins containing para‐substituents with stronger electron donor ability. The calculated order for porphyrins (0.9 ± 0.1) and for TMSC (1.0 ± 0.1) suggests rate = K[Por][TMSC] for the complexation. Attempts were made to explain the absence of spectral evidence for the presence of an intermediate 1:1 (TMSC) Por adduct in terms of its high reactivity and/or relative instability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 39: 231–235, 2007     

Synthesis, structure, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties of highly fluorescent phosphorus(V)-meso-triarylcorroles

The synthesis, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties of seven new P(V)-meso-triarylcorroles (1-7) are reported. Compounds 1-7 were prepared by heating the corresponding free-base corroles with POCl(3) at reflux in pyridine. Hexacoordinate P(V) complexes of meso-triarylcorroles were isolated that contained two axial hydroxy groups, unlike the P(V) complex of 8,12-diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethylcorrole, which was pentacoordinate, or the P(V) complex of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin, which was hexacoordinate with two axial chloro groups. (1)H and (31)P?NMR spectroscopy in CDCl(3) indicated that the hexacoordinated P(V)-meso-triarylcorroles were prone to axial-ligand dissociation to form pentacoordinated P(V)-meso-triarylcorroles. However, in the presence of strongly coordinating solvents, such as CH(3)OH, THF, and DMSO, the P(V)-meso-triarylcorroles preferred to exist in a hexacoordinated geometry in which the corresponding solvent molecules acted as axial ligands. X-ray diffraction of two complexes confirmed the hexacoordination environment for P(V)-meso-triarylcorroles. Their absorption spectra in two coordinating solvents revealed that P(V)-meso-triarylcorroles showed a strong band at about 600?nm together with other bands, in contrast to P(V)-porphyrins, which showed weak bands in the visible region. These compounds were easier to oxidize and more difficult to reduce compared to P(V)-porphyrins. These compounds were brightly fluorescent, unlike the weakly fluorescent P(V)-porphyrins, and the quantum yields for selected P(V)-corroles were as high as Al(III) and Ga(III) corroles, which are the best known fluorescent compounds among oligopyrrolic macrocycles.     

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.     

The role of cobalt,copper, nickel,and zinc in the DNA replication inhibitory activity of p‐aminophenyl triphenylporphyrin

Cationic porphyrins have been widely used as tumor localizers in cancer therapies. When cationic porphyrins are flat they intercalate with double‐stranded DNA, duplexes of RNA or RNA–DNA. The antitumor activity of some cationic porphyrins depends on their interaction with human telomeric quadruplexes. Here, we report that noncationic meso‐(4‐aminophenyl)triphenylporphyrin (H₂TPPNH₂) ( 3 ) and its cobalt, copper, nickel, and zinc metallo derivatives ( 4 – 7 ) have DNA replication inhibitory activity in B16 mouse melanoma line cells. By means of quantification of ³HdTT radio‐labeled DNA, we observed that the nonplanar porphyrin [CoTPPNH₂] has the highest activity against carcinogenic DNA replication. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Isolatable Organophosphorus(III)–Tellurium Heterocycles

A new structural arrangement Te₃(RP^III)₃ and the first crystal structures of organophosphorus(III)–tellurium heterocycles are presented. The heterocycles can be stabilized and structurally characterized by the appropriate choice of substituents in Te_m(P^IIIR)_n (m=1: n=2, R=OMes* (Mes*=supermesityl or 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl); n=3, R=adamantyl (Ad); n=4, R=ferrocene (Fc); m=n=3: R=trityl (Trt), Mesor by the installation of a P^V₂N₂ anchor in RP^III[TeP^V(tBuN)(μ‐NtBu)]₂ (R=Ad, tBu).     

Substitution‐Pattern‐ and Counteranion‐Depending Ion‐Pairing Assemblies Based on Electron‐Deficient Porphyrin–AuIII Complexes

Porphyrin–Au^III complexes, which were partially or totally modified with C₆F₅ at the meso positions, were synthesized. The highly electron‐withdrawing substituents induced electron‐deficient states and Lewis acid properties. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of the ion pairs revealed ion‐pairing assemblies with characteristics dependent on the number and substitution pattern of the C₆F₅ units and the geometries of the anions.     

Studies on iron(III) and manganese(III) derivatives of new meso-aryl substituted and brominated porphyrins

A series of Fe^III and Mn^III porphyrins with various tolyl and naphthyl substituents at the meso positions, and their perbromoderivatives with Br substituents at the -pyrrole positions, have been synthesised and investigated. As seen in the case of the free-base porphyrins, both Fe^III and Mn^III derivatives of the Br-substituted porphyrins also exhibit pronounced red-shifts in both B and Q bands compared to their nonbrominated analogues. This is attributed to the electron-withdrawing ability of eight Br substituents at -pyrrole positions and is also due to distortion brought about in the -framework by the bulky substituents including those at the meso positions. The naphthyl groups seem to be making mesomeric contributions for both nonbrominated and brominated porphyrins of these metal ions as is evident from the higher wavelength absorption of the B band as compared to the tolyl derivatives. While the meso-substituent do not exhibit any isomer dependent change on the electronic properties of Fe^III porphyrins, they show a noticeable effect in the Mn^III derivatives. During the metallation of meso-tetratolylporphyrins by Fe^III ions -oxo dimeric compounds are formed, while the naphthyl porphyrins and the bromoderivatives do not form such dimeric species. The presence of bulky groups at the meso positions and heavy bromines on the -pyrrole positions can be considered to prevent the formation of catalytically inert -oxo dimers.     

Coordination‐Induced Spin‐State Switching of an Aminyl‐Radical‐Bridged Nickel(II) Porphyrin Dimer between Doublet and Sextet States

A bis(Ni^II‐porphyrinyl)aminyl radical with meso‐C₆F₅ groups was prepared as a spin‐delocalized stable aminyl radical with a doublet spin state. Upon addition of pyridine, both Ni^II centers became hexacoordinated by accepting two axial pyridines, which triggered a spin‐state change of the Ni^II centers from diamagnetic (S=0) to paramagnetic (S=1). The resulting high‐spin Ni^II centers interact with the aminyl radical ferromagnetically to give rise to an overall sextet state (S=5/2). Importantly, this coordination‐induced spin‐state switching can be conducted in a reversible manner, in that washing of the high‐spin radical with aqueous hydrochloric acid regenerates the original doublet radical in good yield.