Synthesis and characterization of fluorescent pyrrolyldipyrrinato Sn(IV) complexes

A series of neutral, 5-coordinate pyrrolyldipyrrinato Sn(IV) complexes have been synthesized via reaction of a pyrrolyldipyrrin, or its corresponding hydrochloride salt, with dibutyltin or diphenyltin oxide. The complexes are structurally unique in that all three nitrogen atoms of the pyrrolyldipyrrinato ligand bind to the tin center, making these complexes the first examples of pyrrolyldipyrrins behaving as LX(2) ligands. The complexes are highly fluorescent, exhibiting fluorescence quantum yields between 0.28 and 0.61, and display interesting preliminary biological activity.