Amphiphilic dipyrrinones: methoxylated [6]-semirubins

Replacing the typical β-alkyl substituents of 6]-semirubin and 6]-oxosemirubin, two intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded bilirubin analogs, with methoxy groups produces amphiphilic dipyrrinones. Synthesized from the respective 9H-dipyrrinones prepared by base-catalyzed condensation of 3,4-dimethoxypyrrolin-2-one with the appropriate pyrrole α-aldehyde, the 2,3-dimethoxy and 2,3,7,8-tetramethoxy analogs of 6]-semirubin are yellow-colored dipyrrinones that form intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded monomers in CDCl₃, as deduced from ¹H NMR NH chemical shifts. They are monomeric in CHCl₃, as determined by vapor pressure osmometry. In contrast, in the solid, X-ray crystallography reveals supramolecular ribbons of intermolecularly hydrogen-bonded (dipyrrinone to dipyrrinone and acid to acid) 2,3,7,8-tetramethoxy-6]-semirubin. The latter is approximately 20 times more soluble in water than the parent 6]-semirubin with four β-methyl groups.