Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 4. UV-visible spectral and electrochemical evidence of the remarkable electron-deficient properties of the new tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di{2-(N-methyl)pyridiniumyl}pyrazino]porphyrazinatometal octacations, [(2-Mepy)8TPyzPzM]8+ (M = MgII(H2O), CoII, CuII, ZnII)

Metal derivatives of the octacationic tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di{2-(N-methyl)pyridiniumyl}pyrazino]porphyrazine macrocycle [(2-Mepy)(8)TPyzPzH(2)](8+) (2-Mepy = 2-(N-methyl)pyridiniumyl ring) isolated as water-soluble hydrated iodide salts of the general formula [(2-Mepy)(8)TPyzPzM](I(8)).xH(2)O, (M = Mg(II)(H(2)O), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II); x = 2-5) were prepared from the corresponding neutral complexes [Py(8)TPyzPzM].xH(2)O previously reported. Reaction of these complexes with CH(3)I in N,N-dimethylformamide under mild conditions led to full quaternization of all eight pyridine N atoms and formation of the octacations [(2-Mepy)(8)TPyzPzM](8+). Clathrated water molecules could be eliminated from the species [(2-Mepy)(8)TPyzPzM](I(8)).xH(2)O by mild heating ( Co(I) process, but the site of electron transfer is reversed and the final product upon a further one-electron reduction is formulated as a Co(II) dianion as opposed to a Co(I) pi-anion radical. This sequence is similar to what was earlier reported for reduction of the same compound in pyridine. Reversible one-electron oxidations are also observed for the unmethylated species [Py(8)TPyzPzM].xH(2)O where M = Co(II) and Mn(II) in DMSO. Remarkably, the octacationic macrocycles [(2-Mepy)(8)TPyzPzM](I(8)).xH(2)O, (M = Mg(II)(H(2)O), Co(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II); x = 2-5) are more easily reduced at any step of the reduction than the corresponding unquaternized species with the same metal ion. This indicates a higher tendency to stepwise electron uptake after the quaternization process, which enhances the charge redistribution capability within the species formed by the electroreduction.