Strong Soret Band Research Articles

Synthesis and Studies of Fused Benzo-Benzisapphyrins.

A series of rare examples of fused benzo-benzisapphyrins were synthesized readily by (3 + 2) condensation of benzodipyrrole-derived diol and para-benzitripyrrane in the presence of 0.5 equiv of TFA in CH2Cl2 under inert atmosphere conditions accompanied by DDQ oxidation in open air. The crude compounds were separated by basic alumina column chromatography and afforded pure fused benzo-benzisapphyrins in 20-22% yields. The fused sapphyrins were characterized in detail by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy. The 1H NMR spectra recorded at both 298 and at 233 K clearly exhibited the presence of a strong diatropic ring current in benzo-benzisapphyrins, and the macrocycles are of aromatic nature. The DFT-optimized structure of benzo-benzisapphyrin revealed that the macrocycle was planar to a great extent due to the rigid structure of the dibenzopyrrole moiety, and the NICS(0) value of -11.2 ppm supports the aromatic nature of macrocycles. The absorption spectra of benzo-benzisapphyrins showed three weak Q bands approximately in the region of 650-900 nm and a strong Soret band at 480 nm, along with a shoulder band at ∼510 nm. The diprotonated derivative generated by the addition of excess TFA to the benzo-benzisapphyrin macrocycle exhibited bathochromically shifted absorption bands compared to the free base macrocycle.

Synthesis, Structure and Studies of Meso-Triaryl 22-Oxabenzonorroles.

The first examples of meso-triaryl 22-oxabenzonorroles were synthesized in 18-21% yields by oxidation of appropriate meso-triaryl oxabenzobilane. The key precursors, the meso-triaryl oxabenzobilanes were synthesized readily by treating 16-oxatripyrrane with (1H-indol-3-yl)(p-tolyl)methanol under acid catalyzed conditions. The meso-triaryl 22-oxabenzonorroles were obtained in free base form by following our simple straight-forward synthetic strategy. The X-ray structure obtained for meso-tritolyl 22-oxabenzonorroles revealed that the indole ring was deviated by an angle of 41.27° from the mean plane. The NMR studies supported the presence of diatropic ring current effect as inner NH and CH protons were observed in the upfield region. The absorption spectra of 22-oxabenzonorroles exhibited one strong Soret band and four weak Q-bands. The electrochemical studies revealed that the macrocycles are electron rich and undergo easier oxidations. The DFT and TD-DFT studies were in agreement with the experimental observations and NICS and HOMA values supports the aromatic nature of meso-triaryl oxabenzonorroles.

Vacatadithiasapphyrins: Synthesis, Structure, and Spectral and Redox Properties.

Four examples of novel aromatic [22]vacatadithiasapphyrins were synthesized by refluxing appropriate [22]telluradithiasapphyrins in 1,2-dichlorobenzene in the presence of excess HCl followed by simple column chromatographic purification. The [22]vacatadithiasapphyrins can exist in three conformers "in", "out", and "zigzag" w.r.t the butadiene moiety, and under our experimental conditions, the "out" conformer was the major compound. The X-ray structure obtained for one of the "out" conformers of vacatadithiasapphyrins revealed that the macrocycle was planar similar to its parent telluradithiasapphyrin and showed effective π-delocalization over the entire macrocyclic core. NMR studies supported the formation of the "out" conformer and suggested that the vacatadithiasapphyrins were less aromatic than the parent telluradithiasapphyrins. Density functional theory, time-dependent DFT, and nuclear independent chemical shift studies indicated that the protonated form of vacatadithiasapphyrin was more aromatic than the parent protonated telluradithiasapphyrin. The absorption spectra of vacatadithiasapphyrins showed a typical strong Soret band at ∼488 nm and four relatively broad Q-bands in the region of 590-860 nm, and electrochemical studies suggest that vacatadithiasapphyrins were easier to oxidize and easier to reduce compared to the parent telluradithiasapphyrins.

Synthesis of crown ether appended 25-Oxasmaragdyrins and their BF2-Complexes

Three examples of crown ether appended 25-oxasmaragdyrins were synthesized in 15–20% yields by [3 + 2] oxidative condensation of 16-oxatripyrrane and crown ether appended meso-aryl dipyrromethane in CH2Cl2 in the presence of catalytic amount TFA under inert atmosphere followed by oxidation with DDQ in open air. The crown ether appended 25-oxasmaragdyrins were treated with BF3.OEt2 in CH2Cl2/TEA on hot water bath with 50 °C for 30 min to afford crown ether appended BF2-oxasmaragdyrins in 60–70% yields. The identities of crown ether appended 25-oxasmaragdyrins and their BF2 complexes were confirmed by molecular ion peak in mass spectra and detailed 1D & 2D NMR, absorption, fluorescence and DFT/TD-DFT techniques were used to study the macrocycles. DFT studies revealed that the crown ether appended 25-oxasmaragdyrin and its BF2 complex were almost planar with the meso-phenyl ring containing the crown ether moiety deviated by an angle of 54.86◦ with respect to mean plane defined by three meso carbon atoms. The absorption studies indicated that crown ether appended smaragdyrins and their BF2 complexes showed one or two strong Soret bands in the region of 440–480 nm and four weak Q-bands in 500–750 nm region. The crown ether appended 25-oxasmaragdyrins and their BF2 complexes were weakly fluorescent.

Ethyne Functionalized Meso-Phenothiazinyl-Phenyl-Porphyrins: Synthesis and Optical Properties of Free Base Versus Protonated Species.

Synthesis, structural characterization and photophysical properties for a series of new trans-A2B2- and A3B-type ethynyl functionalized meso-phenothiazinyl-phenyl porphyrin derivatives are described. The new compounds displayed the characteristic porphyrin absorption spectra slightly modified by weak auxochromic effects of the substituents and fluorescence emission in the range of 651–659 nm with 11–25% quantum yields. The changes recorded in the UV-vis absorption spectra in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) are consistent with the protonation of the two internal nitrogen atoms of the free-base porphyrin (19 nm bathochromic shift of the strong Soret band and one long wave absorption maxima situated in the range of 665–695 nm). Protonation of the phenothiazine substituents required increased amounts of TFA and produced a distinct hypsochromic shift of the long wave absorption maxima. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations of a porphyrin dication pointed out a saddle-distorted porphyrin ring as the ground-state geometry.

Development of n-Type Porphyrin Acceptors for Panchromatic Light-Harvesting Fullerene-Free Organic Solar Cells.

The development of n-type porphyrin acceptors is challenging in organic solar cells. In this work, we synthesized a novel n-type porphyrin acceptor, PZn-TNI, via the introduction of the electron withdrawing naphthalene imide (NI) moiety at the meso position of zinc porphyrin (PZn). PZn-TNI has excellent thermal stability and unique bimodal absorption with a strong Soret band (300–600 nm) and weak Q-band (600–800 nm). The weak long-wavelength absorption of PZn-TNI was completely covered by combining the low bandgap polymer donor, PTB7-Th, which realized the well-balanced panchromatic photon-to-current conversion in the range of 300–800 nm. Notably, the one-step reaction of the NI moiety from a commercially available source leads to the cheap and simple n-type porphyrin synthesis. The substitution of four NIs in PZn ring induced sufficient n-type characteristics with proper HOMO and LUMO energy levels for efficient charge transport with PTB7-Th. Fullerene-free organic solar cells based-on PTB7-Th:PZn-TNI were investigated and showed a promising PCE of 5.07% without any additive treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest PCE in the porphyrin-based acceptors without utilization of the perylene diimide accepting unit.

In-situ second harmonic generation by cancer cell targeting ZnO nanocrystals to effect photodynamic action in subcellular space.

This paper introduces the concept of in-situ upconversion of deep penetrating near infrared light via second harmonic generation from ZnO nanocrystals delivered into cells to effect photo activated therapies, such as photodynamic therapy, which usually require activation by visible light with limited penetration through biological tissues. We demonstrated this concept by subcellular activation of a photodynamic therapy drug, Chlorin e6, excited within its strong absorption Soret band by the second harmonic (SH) light, generated at 409nm by ZnO nanocrystals, which were targeted to cancer cells and internalized through the folate-receptor mediated endocytosis. By a combination of theoretical modeling and experimental measurements, we show that SH light, generated in-situ by ZnO nanocrystals significantly contributes to activation of photosensitizer, leading to cell death through both apoptotic and necrotic pathways initiated in the cytoplasm. This targeted photodynamic action was studied using label-free Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering imaging of the treated cells to monitor changes in the distribution of native cellular proteins and lipids. We found that initiation of photodynamic therapy with upconverted light led to global reduction in the intracellular concentration of macromolecules, likely due to suppression of proteins and lipids synthesis, which could be considered as a real-time indicator of cellular damage from photodynamic treatment. In prospective applications this in-situ photon upconversion could be further extended using ZnO nanocrystals surface functionalized with a specific organelle targeting group, provided a powerful approach to identify and consequently maximize a cellular response to phototherapy, selectively initiated in a specific cellular organelle.

Use of dyes to increase phase contrast for biological holographic microscopy.

Holographic microscopy is an emerging biological technique that provides amplitude and quantitative phase imaging, though the contrast provided by many cell types and organelles is low, and until now no dyes were known that increased contrast. Here we show that the metallocorrole Ga(tpfc)(SO3)2, which has a strong Soret band absorption, increases contrast in both amplitude and phase and facilitates tracking of Escherichia coli with minimal toxicity. The change in phase contrast may be calculated from the dye-absorbance spectrum using the Kramers-Kronig relations, and represents a general principle that may be applied to any dye or cell type. This enables the use of holographic microscopy for all applications in which specific labeling is desired.

Porphycene-Diketopyrrolopyrrole Conjugates As p-Type Organic Solar Cell Materials

Porphycene is a constitutional isomer of porphyrin. Porphycene has a lower LUMO level and smaller HOMO-LUMO difference than porphyrin since its molecular symmetry is lower than that of porphyrin. 1 These properties have allowed us to explore the possible applications of porphycenes in the fields of photodynamic therapy (PDT), photoinactivation of viruses and bacteria, protein mimicry, nonlinear optics, and catalysis. Recently, we have focused on the porphycene using as the semiconducting materials for organic solar cell (OSC). OSC materials require for the absorption covering the visible to NIR regions and appropriate HOMO and LUMO energy levels. In this presentation, we have designed, synthesized and properties of the porphycene–diketopyrropyrrole conjugate (Pc–DPP) though ethynyl linkages for the OSC as p-type materials. The absorption of the DPP unit appears at around 450-550 nm, while porphycene has an absorption valley around 400-550 nm. The combination of DPP and porphycene via ethynyl linkages is expected to generate absorption covering the visible to NIR regions of the spectrum. We have measured absorption spectra of Pc–­DPP and 2,7,12,17-tetrahexylporphycene (THPc) as reference compound in thin-film on glass substrate. THPc has strong Soret band at 400 nm and Q-bands around 550 to 700 nm. On the other hand, as the result of the connection with porphycene and DPP units, Pc–DPP has broad absorption covering the visible to near in-fared regions. Based on these optical characters, we have fabricated bulk heterojunction (BHJ) OSC by solution process with Pc–DPP as a p-type material and PC61BM as an n-type material. The active layer of the mixture of Pc–DPP and PC61BM with 0.1% 1,8-diiodooctane containing chloroform was deposited on the PEDOT:PSS-treated ITO substrate by spin coating and then calcium and aluminum electrode were deposited on the active layer by vacuum process. After optimized the device conditions, we achieved the PCEs of 1.4% (J sc = 4.88 mA cm-2, V oc = 0.81 V and FF = 0.37). We will also report the evaluations of film structures of these devices by AFM and XRD measurements.

Facile Synthesis of 9,10,19,20‐Tetraarylporphycenes

AbstractA simple route was developed for the synthesis of 9,10,19,20‐tetraarylporphycenes by combining both McMurry and oxidative synthetic strategies and using readily available precursors. The desired 5,6‐diaryldipyrroethenes, which were prepared in multigram quantities over two steps, were used to prepare 9,10,19,20‐tetraarylporphycenes under mild acid‐catalyzed conditions. As 5,6‐diaryldipyrroethene precursors can easily be prepared in multigram quantities, this method is useful for the preparation of meso‐tetrarylporphycenes that contain different aryl substituents. The molecular structures of these macrocycles were determined by HRMS analysis as well as 1D and 2D NMR studies. The tetraarylporphycenes exhibited a strong Soret band at approximately 380 nm and three Q bands in the region of 580–655 nm. The tetraarylprophycenes are reasonably fluorescent and stable under redox conditions.

Synthesis of meso-pyrrole-substituted 22-oxacorroles by a "3+2" approach.

Unsymmetrical 22-oxacorrole containing two aryl groups and one pyrrole group at the meso position was synthesized by condensing one equivalent of 16-oxatripyrrane with one equivalent of meso aryl dipyromethane under mild acid-catalyzed conditions followed by oxidation with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ). This [3+2] condensation approach was expected to yield meso-free 25-oxasmaragdyrin but unexpectedly afforded unsymmetrical meso-pyrrole-substituted 22-oxacorrole. We demonstrated the versatility of the reaction by synthesizing four new meso-pyrrole-substituted 22-oxacorroles. The reactivity of α-position of meso-pyrrole was tested by carrying out various functionalization reactions such as bromination, formylation, and nitration and obtained the functionalized meso-pyrrole-substituted 22-oxacorroles in decent yields. The X-ray structure obtained for one of the functionalized meso-pyrrole substituted 22-oxacorrole revealed that the macrocycle was nearly planar and the meso-pyrrole was in the perpendicular orientation with respect to the macrocyclic plane. The meso-pyrrole-substituted 22-oxacorroles absorb strongly in 400-700 nm region with one strong Soret band and four weak Q bands. The 22-oxacorroles are strongly fluorescent and showed emission maxima at ≈650 nm with decent quantum yields and singlet-state lifetimes. The 22-oxacorroles are redox-active and exhibited three irreversible oxidations and one or two reversible reduction(s). A preliminary biological study indicated that meso-pyrrole corroles are biocompatible.

Theoritical Studies on the Structure and Absorption Spectra of Neo-Confused Metal Porphyrin†

On the basis of detailed density functional theory( DFT),the molecular geometrical structures and orbital energy levels of free base porphyrin( FBP) and neo-confused porphyrin( NECP) coordinated with Mg, Ni,Cu,Zn were studied at B3LYP /6-31 + G( d) level. The electronic absorption spectra of metal coordinated porphyrins were studied in gas phase at time dependent density functional level,including the excitation energy,absorption wavelength,oscillator strength and the orbital composition of the electronic transition. Since the metal coordinated FBPs( M-FBP) have D 4h symmetry,HOMO / HOMO- 1,LUMO / LUMO + 1 degenerate respectively with the similar orbital energy level. The energy gaps of HOMO-LUMO of M-FBPs are about 3. 0 eV. The structure and orbital properties of M-FBPs evolve strong Soret bands in the absorption spectra. Due to the change of C / N atom in the center structure of NECP,M-NECP molecular frontier orbitals composition is more complicated than that of M-FBP. In M-NECPs,the molecular orbital energy gaps( HOMO-LUMO) reduce to about 2. 6 eV. The C / N exchange strategy can vary the molecular symmetry and molecular orbital composition of M-NECPs,which leads to the energy level splitting,strong electronic absorption peaks of Soret band and the appearance of Q absorption band. All the parameters of M-FBPs and M-NECPs were investigated in three different solvents( water,chloroform and benzene). Under the solvent conditions,the electronic absorption spectra of M-FBP and M-NECP take place red shift along with the weaken polarity of solvent( water, chloroform,benzene) and enhance the absorption peak intensity.

N‐Methyl‐21‐thiaporphyrins

AbstractWe synthesized five N‐methyl‐meso‐tetraaryl‐21‐thiaporphyrins in 55–60 % yield by treating the appropriate meso‐tetraaryl‐21‐thiaporphyrin with CH3I. The N‐methyl‐21‐thiaporphyrins were characterized by HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques, and the structure of one of the compounds was obtained by X‐ray crystallography. 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy were used to identify all of the resonances observed in the 1H NMR spectra of the N‐methyl‐21‐thiaporphyrins. NMR studies indicated that the methylation occurred at the pyrrole ring that is opposite to the thiophene ring. In the 1H NMR spectra, the methylation resulted in significant upfield shifts of the pyrrole and thiophene protons; the maximum shifts were noted for the protons of the N‐methylated pyrrole ring of the N‐methyl‐21‐thiaporphyrins. The X‐ray structure of one of the N‐methyl‐21‐thiaporphyrins revealed significant deviation of the N‐methylated pyrrole ring from the reference plane defined by the four meso carbon atoms, and the porphyrin ring is strongly distorted compared to the 21‐thiaporphyrin ring. The absorption studies revealed that the N‐methyl‐21‐thiaporphyrins showed four Q bands and one strong Soret band, which were bathochromically shifted compared to those of the 21‐thiaporphyrins. The electrochemical studies on the N‐methyl‐21‐thiaporphyrins indicated that the oxidation potentials became less positive and there were negligible shifts in the reduction potentials; the HOMO–LUMO energy gap decreased compared with that of the 21‐thiaporphyrins. The N‐methyl‐21‐thiaporphyrins are weakly fluorescent with low quantum yields and singlet‐state lifetimes. The spectral and electrochemical studies indicated that N‐methylation of the pyrrole ring of 21‐thiaporphyrins significantly alters the electronic properties of the 21‐thiaporphyrin macrocycle.

Chemical ligation of oligodeoxynucleotides by X-irradiation and its application to regulation of G-quadruplex formation

We demonstrated radiolytic ligation of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) possessing disulfide bond and its application to regulation of DNA quadruplex formation. G-rich hexamer ODNs had poor ability to form quadruplex, while X-irradiation of the ODNs induced interstrand exchange reaction at disulfide bond to form ligated 12 mer ODNs, leading to the ready formation of quadruplex due to the entropic effect. Since complexation of the ligated ODNs with hemin in the presence of K+ showed strong soret band absorption and also catalyzed the H2O2-mediated oxidation of luminol, it appears that the quadruplex formed from ligated ODNs showed a function similar to native DNA quadruplex.

Mapping Ultra-weak Protein-Protein Interactions between Heme Transporters of Staphylococcus aureus

Iron is an essential nutrient for the proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus during bacterial infections. The iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) system of S. aureus transports and metabolizes iron porphyrin (heme) captured from the host organism. Transportation of heme across the thick cell wall of this bacterium requires multiple relay points. The mechanism by which heme is physically transferred between Isd transporters is largely unknown because of the transient nature of the interactions involved. Herein, we show that the IsdC transporter not only passes heme ligand to another class of Isd transporter, as previously known, but can also perform self-transfer reactions. IsdA shows a similar ability. A genetically encoded photoreactive probe was used to survey the regions of IsdC involved in self-dimerization. We propose an updated model that explicitly considers self-transfer reactions to explain heme delivery across the cell wall. An analogous photo-cross-linking strategy was employed to map transient interactions between IsdC and IsdE transporters. These experiments identified a key structural element involved in the rapid and specific transfer of heme from IsdC to IsdE. The resulting structural model was validated with a chimeric version of the homologous transporter IsdA. Overall, our results show that the ultra-weak interactions between Isd transporters are governed by bona fide protein structural motifs.

Electrospinning of Polystyrene/Dicyanopyrazine-Linked Porphyrin Nanofibers

We have fabricated fluorescing polystyrene/dicyanopyrazine-linked porphyrin (PS/4-TDCPP) nanofibers using the electrospinning technique. UV-vis spectroscopy shows a strong Soret band and two relatively weak Q bands from the PS/4-TDCPP films and fibers, and reveals that the 4-TDCPP molecules are homogeneously dispersed in the films and fibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals the effect of solvent and collecting distance on the morphology of the electro-spun PS/4-TDCPP fibers. Fibers spun from a 50% dimethlyformamide (DMF), 50% methylethylketone (MEK) solution have ultra-fine structures with an average diameter of 300 nm. In the case of fibers from pure DMF and DMF:MEK (1:3) solutions, beads are formed along the length of the fibers. Variation of the collecting distance from 20 to 30 cm does not induce significant differences in the morphology of the electro-spun PS/4-TDCPP fibers. However, at a collecting distance of 15 cm, many beads are formed along the fibers. Acid-sensing capability of the PS/4-TDCPP fibers is demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy.

A Discrete Supramolecular Conglomerate Composed of Two Saddle‐Distorted Zinc(II)‐Phthalocyanine Complexes and a Doubly Protonated Porphyrin with Saddle Distortion Undergoing Efficient Photoinduced Electron Transfer

Porphyrins (Por) and phthalocyanines (Pc) exhibit lightharvesting efficiency for producing charge-separated states as models of the reaction center in photosynthetic bacteria and photovoltaic cells for energy conversion. The use of supramolecular assemblies to model the functionality of the reaction center is an attractive and fruitful strategy to develop photofunctional materials and devices. Porphyrins exhibit strong Soret bands around 400 to 450 nm, whereas phthalocyanines show strong Q bands around 700 to 800 nm. Thus, the combination of those two p systems can cover nearly the whole range of the visible region and can be a useful strategy for development of photofunctional materials for efficient light-energy conversion. Attempts have so far been made to synthesize covalently linked Por–Pc heterodyad molecules and construct Por–Pc heterosupramolecules. Recently, ZnPor and ZnPc have been reported to form two-dimensional arrays on gold surfaces, and the formation of a cofacial ZnPor–ZnPc coordination tetrad has also been reported. However, a crystal structure determination of a discrete supramolecular assembly composed of both Por and Pc has yet to be reported. In addition, since the Q-band absorption of Pc usually overlaps the wavelength of fluorescence of Por, energy transfer is favored over electron transfer in most heterodyads. We have developed supramolecular assemblies based on a saddle-distorted nonplanar porphyrin, dodecaphenylporphyrin (H2DPP), and its metal complexes. [11–13] The saddle distortion facilitates protonation of pyrrole nitrogen atoms to allow access to a stable diprotonated porphyrin, which can act as an electron acceptor. In addition, the saddle distortion affords higher Lewis acidity at the metal center to maintain axial coordination of ligands, as a result of poor overlap of the pyrrole nitrogen lone pair orbitals with d orbitals of the metal center. In contrast, the Zn complex of the saddle-distorted phthalocyanine 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octaphenylphthalocyanine (H2OPPc) exhibits a lower oxidation potential relative to the corresponding porphyrin complex. To construct supramolecular conglomerates composed of both porphyrin and phthalocyanine in a well-defined manner, we have taken advantage of saddle distortion of both components. Herein, we report formation of a discrete supramolecular assembly composed of H4DPP 2+ and [Zn(OPPc)] connected by 4-pyridinecarboxylate (4-PyCOO ) with coordination and hydrogen bonding (Figure 1). The supramolecular conglomerate [(H4DPP){Zn(OPPc)(k-N-4-PyCOO)}2] (1) was synthesized by reaction of [H4DPP](4-PyCOO)2 (2) and Zn(OPPc) (3) in toluene. We crystallized and isolated 1 in pure form by vapor diffusion of hexanes into solution of the mixture in toluene. X-ray crystallography of 1 unambiguously established its structure (Figure 2a).

Synthesis of Isomeric Angularly Annealed Dinaphthoporphyrin Systems: Examination of the Relative Positioning and Orientation of Ring Fusion as Factors Influencing the Porphyrin Chromophore

Porphyrins built up from two naphtho[1,2-c]pyrrole subunits and two beta-substituted pyrroles can produce five isomeric dinaphthoporphyrin systems. To gain insights into the effects of ring fusion on extended porphyrin chromophores, all five of these systems were synthesized in isomerically pure form. In four of these syntheses, dihydronaphthopyrroles were used to introduce one or both of the naphthalene subunits, and dehydrogenation with DDQ in refluxing toluene later produced the fully conjugated systems. Naphthopyrroles were also prepared by reacting isocyanoacetate esters with 1-nitronaphthalene in the presence of a phosphazene base. These compounds proved to be less stable than their dihydronaphthopyrrolic counterparts but could still be utilized in these synthetic studies. Three isomeric adj-dinaphthoporphyrin systems were prepared using the MacDonald "2 + 2" condensation or by the cyclization of a,c-biladiene intermediates with copper(II) chloride or AgIO(3)-Zn(OAc)(2). A dinaphthoporphyrin with two naphthalene units pointing toward one another could only be obtained in low yields due to a combination of stability and steric factors, but the other two adj-difused systems were isolated in good overall yields. However, the final dehydrogenation step occurred in moderate yields (50-60%) and could only be performed when the porphyrins bore propionate ester side chains that produced sufficient solubility in organic solvents. The two related opp-dinaphthoporphyrins were synthesized by a "head-to-tail" self-condensation of a dipyrrylmethane aldehyde, or a "3 + 1" synthesis using a tripyrrane intermediate bearing two fused dihydronaphthalene moieties, in excellent yields. In both cases, a final dehydrogenation step was required, but the opp-dinaphthoporphyrins were consistently formed in virtually quantitative yields. The opp-dinaphthoporphyrin series gave UV-vis spectra with relatively strong Soret bands at 425 nm, and the visible region was dominated by an unusually strong Q-band III. The adj-dinaphthoporphyrins produced broader less intense Soret bands and four well-defined Q-bands, including a relatively strong absorption at 645 nm. However, the relative orientation of the naphthalene rings had no significant effects on these spectra. On the other hand, the dications produced in TFA-chloroform solutions showed more discrimination between the individual porphyrin systems, and the metallo derivatives also displayed significant variations in their electronic absorption spectra.

Synthesis, Spectroscopy, and Reactivity of meso-Unsubstituted Azuliporphyrins and Their Heteroanalogues. Oxidative Ring Contractions to Carba-, Oxacarba-, Thiacarba-, and Selenacarbaporphyrins

This paper reports the first detailed study on meso-unsubstituted azuliporphyrins, an important family of porphyrin-like molecules where one of the usual pyrrole rings has been replaced by an azulene subunit. Although the azulene moiety introduces an element of cross-conjugation, zwitterionic resonance contributors with tropylium and carbaporphyrin substructures give azuliporphyrins diatropic character that falls midway between true carbaporphyrins and nonaromatic benziporphyrins. Protonation affords an aromatic dication where this type of resonance interaction is favored due to the associated charge delocalization. Two different "3 + 1" syntheses of meso-unsubstituted azuliporphyrins have been developed. Acid-catalyzed reaction of readily available tripyrrane dicarboxylic acids with 1,3-azulenedicarbaldehyde, followed by oxidation with DDQ or FeCl(3), affords good yields of azuliporphyrins. Alternatively, azulene reacted with acetoxymethylpyrroles (2 equiv) in refluxing acetic acid/2-propanol to give tripyrrane analogues, and following a deprotection step, condensation with a pyrrole dialdehyde in TFA-CH(2)Cl(2) gave the azuliporphyrin system. The latter approach was also used to prepare 23-thia- and 23-selenaazuliporphyrins. However, reaction of the azulitripyrrane with 2,5-furandicarbaldehyde produced a mixture of three oxacarbaporphyrins in moderate yield. The free base forms of thia- and selenaazuliporphyrins both showed intermediary aromatic character that was considerably enhanced upon protonation. The UV-vis spectra for azuliporphyrins and their heteroanalogues showed four bands between 350 and 500 nm and broad absorptions at higher wavelengths. Addition of TFA gave dications that showed porphyrin-like spectra with Soret bands between 460 and 500 nm. In the presence of pyrrolidine, azuliporphyrins and their heteroanalogues undergo nucleophilic attack on the seven-membered ring to give carbaporphyrin adducts. These systems also undergo oxidative rearrangements under basic conditions with t-BuOOH to give benzocarbaporphyrins. The selenaazuliporphyrin afforded two benzoselenacarbaporphyrins, a previously unknown core-modified carbaporphyrin system. The proton NMR spectra for these compounds showed strong diatropic ring currents with the internal CH resonance upfield above -5 ppm, while the meso-protons resonated downfield near 10 ppm. The UV-vis spectra were also porphyrin-like and gave strong Soret bands at ca. 440 nm.

New riches in carbaporphyrin chemistry: silver and gold organometallic complexes of benzocarbaporphyrins.

The NH-N-NH-N core of the porphyrin system represents one of the best studied and most versatile platforms for coordination chemistry. However, the replacement of one or more of the interior nitrogens with carbon atoms would be expected to diminish the ability of these systems to form metallo derivatives considerably. Despite this expectation, carbaporphyrinoid systems have been shown to form stable organometallic derivatives. Although azuliporphyrins and benziporphyrins act as dianionic ligands, benzocarbaporphyrins are trianionic ligands. Treatment of five different meso unsubstituted benzocarbaporphyrins and two different meso tetraarylbenzocarbaporphyrins with excess silver(I) acetate afforded 65-97% yields of the corresponding silver(III) organometallic derivatives. The insertion of silver metal was confirmed by mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. The UV-vis spectra showed a strong Soret band at wavelengths between 437 and 451 nm, together with a series of Q-type bands at longer wavelengths. The new metallo carbaporphyrins demonstrate the presence of a strong diatropic ring current in their proton NMR spectra, and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy indicates that the derivatives retain a plane of symmetry. The reaction of meso tetraaryl carbaporphyrins with gold(III) acetate afforded the related gold(III) complexes, and these also showed strongly porphyrin-like aromatic characteristics. The UV-vis spectra for the gold complexes again showed a strong Soret band between 437-439 nm, but a secondary band near 400 nm is somewhat intensified for the gold species compared to the spectra for the related silver(III) meso tetrasubstituted carbaporphyrins. The ring currents observed for the gold(III) complexes by proton NMR spectroscopy were comparable to those of the silver(III) derivatives, implying that both series have similar macrocyclic conformations. Cyclic voltammetry was performed on two different carbaporphyrins, their silver(III) derivatives, and a gold(III) complex. The silver complexes display a reversible cathodic wave that is assigned to the Ag(III/II) couple. However, the gold porphyrinoid gave a value for the reductive wave that could be due to a gold(III/II) couple or a ligand-based process.