Photophysical properties of a series of free-base corroles

Four free-base corroles with electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups on the para or 2 through 6-positons of the meso phenyl rings were prepared via either Paolesse or Gross conditions and investigated for their absorption and emission properties. The triaryl corroles 5,10,15-triphenylcorrole, 5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole, 5,10,15-tris(p-nitrophenyl)corrole, and 5,10,15-tris(p-methoxyphenyl)corrole were examined. Absorption, steady-state, and time-resolved fluorescence measurements were performed on all compounds in both nonpolar (dichloromethane) and polar (dimethylacetamide) solvents. The experimental evidence points to hydrogen bonding with an internal N-H group as the most likely factor in the solvent-dependent photophysical behavior of these corroles, that is also highly dependent upon substitution.