Electroreduction and Acid–Base Properties of Dipyrrolylquinoxalines

Abstract

The electroreduction and acid-base properties of dipyrrolylquinoxalines of the form H(2)DPQ, H(2)DPQ(NO(2)), and H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(2) were investigated in benzonitrile (PhCN) containing 0.1 M tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP). This study focuses on elucidating the complete electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, and acid-base properties of H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(n) (n = 0, 1, or 2) in PhCN before and after the addition of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH), tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF), or tetra-n-butylammonium acetate (TBAOAc) to solution. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical data provide support for the formation of a monodeprotonated anion after disproportionation of a dipyrrolylquinoxaline radical anion produced initially. The generated monoanion is then further reduced in two reversible one-electron-transfer steps at more negative potentials in the case of H(2)DPQ(NO(2)) and H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(2). Electrochemically monitored titrations of H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(n) with OH(-), F(-), or OAc(-) (in the form of TBA(+)X(-) salts) give rise to the same monodeprotonated H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(n) produced during electroreduction in PhCN. This latter anion can then be reduced in two additional one-electron-transfer steps in the case of H(2)DPQ(NO(2)) and H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(2). Spectroscopically monitored titrations of H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(n) with X(-) show a 1:2 stoichiometry and provide evidence for the production of both [H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(n)](-) and XHX(-). The spectroscopically measured equilibrium constants range from log β(2) = 5.3 for the reaction of H(2)DPQ with TBAOAc to log β(2) = 8.8 for the reaction of H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(2) with TBAOH. These results are consistent with a combined deprotonation and anion binding process. Equilibrium constants for the addition of one H(+) to each quinoxaline nitrogen of H(2)DPQ, H(2)DPQ(NO(2)), and H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(2) in PhCN containing 0.1 M TBAP were also determined via electrochemical and spectroscopic means; this gave rise to log β(2) values ranging from 0.7 to 4.6, depending upon the number of nitro substituents present on the H(2)DPQ core. The redox behavior of the H(2)DPQ(NO(2))(n) compounds of the present study were further analyzed through comparisons with simple quinoxalines that lack the two linked pyrrole groups, i.e., Q(NO(2))(n) where n = 0, 1, or 2. It is concluded that the pyrrolic substituents play a critical role in regulating the electrochemical and spectroscopic features of DPQs.