Metal-Cation Recognition in Water by a Tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine-Based Tweezer Receptor

Subphthalocyanines as fluorescence sensors for metal cations

Subphthalocyanines (SubPcs) and their aza-analogues (SubTPyzPzs) are fluorophores with strong orange fluorescence emission; however, their sensing ability towards metal cations remains uncharted. To fill this gap, we have developed an efficient method for introducing aza-crown moieties at the axial position of SubPcs and SubTPyzPzs to investigate the structure-activity relationship for sensing alkali (Li+, Na+, K+) and alkaline earth metal (Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+) cations. SubPcs showed better photostability than SubTPyzPzs and even a commonly utilized dye, 6-carboxyfluorescein. Selectivity toward metal cations was driven by the size of the aza-crown, irrespective of the counter anion. The stoichiometry of binding was found to be 1 : 1 in all cases, and the interaction between SubPcs and cations was characterized by the corresponding apparent binding constants (Ka). Notably, an unusually strong interaction of all sensoric SubPcs with Ba2+ compared to other studied cations was demonstrated. The role of the surrounding environment, i.e. the addition of water or methanol, in sensing cations is shown in detail as well. Selectivity towards K+ over Na+ was demonstrated in aqueous media with SubPcs bearing the 1-aza-6-crown-18 moiety in Tween 80 micelles. In this case, a 5-fold increase of the fluorescence quantum yield was observed upon binding K+ ions. The high brightness, photostability, and sensing activity in aqueous media make SubPc macrocycles promising fluorophores for metal cation sensing.

Synthesis of axially disubstituted silicon phthalocyanines and investigation of their in vitro cytotoxic/phototoxic anticancer activities

In this study, two SiPcs have been selected and the photodynamic therapy potentials were evaluated of the Pcs. Synthesis of Axially 2-decyn-1-oxy disubstituted Es-SiPc-2 was newly synthesized by the reaction of SiPcCl2 with 2-decyn-1-ol in the presence of NaH in toluene. Furthermore, their nuclear imaging potentials were evaluated in human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and human lung fibroblast cell (WI-38) cell lines. The uptake results have indicated that Es-SiPc labeled with [Formula: see text]I radionuclide ([Formula: see text]I-Es-SiPc) was approximately 2-fold higher in the HT-29 cell line than the WI-38 cell line. In other words, the target/non-target tissue ratio is defined as two in the HT-29/WI-38 cell lines. Besides, the uptake values of [Formula: see text]I-Es-SiPc were found to be higher than [Formula: see text]I-Es-SiPc-2. [Formula: see text]I-Es-SiPc and [Formula: see text]I-Es-SiPc-2 are promising for imaging or treating colon adenocarcinoma. In vitrophotodynamic therapy (PDT) studies have shown that both compounds are suitable and can be used in this field. Also, Es-SiPc has been shown to have higher phototoxicity than Es-SiPc-2.

pH-Sensitive subphthalocyanines and subazaphthalocyanines

Although subphthalocyanines (SubPcs) possess advantageous fluorescence properties and serve as an amazing tool to attach a recognition sensor moiety to the axial position, a limited number of switchable SubPcs have been described so far. Isosteric aza-replacement is known to improve sensing properties in closely related phthalocyanine families; however, pyrazino[2,3-b,g,l]subporphyrazines (SubPyzPzs) have not yet been investigated for use in sensing applications. Therefore, this project focuses on the synthesis and sensing abilities of pH-sensitive SubPcs and SubPyzPzs on the principle of photoinduced electron transfer (PET). 4-Dimethylaminophenoxy (for acidic pH) or 4-hydroxyphenoxy (for basic pH) groups were employed as pH-sensitive axial ligands. Electrochemical studies revealed improvements in the electron-accepting properties of SubPyzPzs (E_red-0.56 V vs. SCE) in comparison to those of SubPcs (E_red-1.0 V vs. SCE). Hydroxy groups on the axial phenoxy ligands of SybPyzPzs and SubPcs have been found to act as donors for PET. The sensing properties under basic conditions could not be studied, since all the SubPcs and SubPyzPzs decomposed under basic conditions, SubPyzPzs were more susceptible to this process. On the other hand, compounds with 4-dimethylaminophenoxy groups as axial ligands showed great potential for sensing applications. These compounds were nonfluorescent (Φ_F < 0.01) in acetone due to efficient PET, while their fluorescence steeply increased by two orders of magnitude upon the addition of trifluoroacetic acid, reaching a Φ_F value of up to 0.17 (λ_em range of 563-590 nm). These compounds maintained their sensing properties in aqueous medium after incorporation into microemulsions. The most basic derivative showed pK_A = 2.95 with Φ_F = 0.10 in the ON state (fluorescence enhancement factor = 46, λ_em = 577 nm).

Aromatic and heteroaromatic azacrown compounds: advantages and disadvantages of rigid macrocyclic ligands

Current approaches to the synthesis of aromatic and heteroaromatic azamacrocycles and their derivatives are summarized and systematized. The relationship between the structure of azacrown compounds and their complexation behaviour towards metal cations is analyzed. The diversity of practical applications of azamacrocyclic derivatives in medicine, biology and analytical and organic chemistry, as well as for the design of molecular devices is demonstrated.

The bibliography includes 307 references.

Porphyrazines with annulated diazepine rings. 5. Near-IR-absorbing tetrakis(6,7-dihydro-1H-1,4-diazepino)porphyrazines and effects of acid solvation on their spectral properties

Novel porphyrazines bearing fused 6,7-dihydro-1H-1,4-diazepine rings were synthesized and their spectral response on the change of medium acidity was demonstrated.

Red-Emitting Fluorescence Sensors for Metal Cations: The Role of Counteranions and Sensing of SCN- in Biological Materials

The spatiotemporal sensing of specific cationic and anionic species is crucial for understanding the processes occurring in living systems. Herein, we developed new fluorescence sensors derived from tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines (TPyzPzs) with a recognition moiety that consists of an aza-crown and supporting substituents. Their sensitivity and selectivity were compared by fluorescence titration experiments with the properties of known TPyzPzs (with either one aza-crown moiety or two of these moieties in a tweezer arrangement). Method of standard addition was employed for analyte quantification in saliva. For K⁺ recognition, the new derivatives had comparable or larger association constants with larger fluorescence enhancement factors compared to that with one aza-crown. Their fluorescence quantum yields in the ON state were 18× higher than that of TPyzPzs with a tweezer arrangement. Importantly, the sensitivity toward cations was strongly dependent on counteranions and increased as follows: NO₃^- < Br^- < CF₃SO₃^- < ClO₄^- ≪ SCN^-. This trend resembles the chaotropic ability expressed by the Hofmeister series. The high selectivity toward KSCN was explained by synergic association of both K⁺ and SCN^- with TPyzPz sensors. The sensing of SCN^- was further exploited in a proof of concept study to quantify SCN^- levels in the saliva of a smoker and to demonstrate the sensing ability of TPyzPzs under in vitro conditions.

Photodynamic properties of aza-analogues of phthalocyanines

Spectral and photophysical properties and in vitro photodynamic activity of aza-analogues of phthalocyanines are summarized.

OFF-ON-OFF Red-Emitting Fluorescent Indicators for a Narrow pH Window

A unique combination of two independent mechanisms of fluorescence quenching, namely intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) from a peripheral donor and protonation of azomethine nitrogen atoms in zinc tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines (TPyzPz), provides a new possibility for sensing pH in a specific range. The pH selectivity was controlled by the different basicities of the donor for ICT (dimethylaminoaryl), which was connected to the macrocycle by π-extended linkers of different lengths. ICT and protonation have been studied in detail by photophysical, spectral (UV/Vis and MCD spectra), and electrochemical measurements, and further supported by theoretical calculations (DFT, TDDFT). The pH-sensing properties of the TPyzPzs have been investigated in THF and in water after anchoring the TPyzPzs to liposomes. The salient pK_a values were around 1.3 (azomethine nitrogen) and 2.29-4.76 (donor for ICT). The lead indicators (sensing over a pH range of 1.0-2.5) with fairly steep sensing profiles exhibited increases in fluorescence between the OFF/ON states of more than 20-fold and strong absorption in the red region (Q-band maximum >650 nm, ϵ≈2×10⁶  m^-1  cm^-1 ).

Predominant effect of connecting atom and position of substituents on azomethine nitrogens’ basicity in phthalocyanines

The basicity of azomethine nitrogens was studied on a series of phthalocyanines (Pcs) that differed in a position of substituent, [Formula: see text] peripherally ([Formula: see text]-series) and non-peripherally substituted Pcs ([Formula: see text]-series), and in a type of substituent (alkylsulfanyl, alkyloxy or alkyl). Appropriate 3,6- or 4,5-disubstituted phthalonitriles were prepared either by nucleophilic substitution or by Negishi coupling. Target zinc Pcs were synthesized by Linstead method. The basicity was studied by the mean of absorption and1H NMR spectroscopies in chloroform upon titration with trifluoroacetic acid. Equilibrium constants (log [Formula: see text]) indicated significant difference within the series. Basicity decreased as follows: [Formula: see text]-alkyloxy ≫ [Formula: see text]-alkylsulfanyl > [Formula: see text]-alkyloxy > [Formula: see text]-alkyl > [Formula: see text]-alkylsulfanyl ∼ [Formula: see text]-alkyl with log [Formula: see text] higher than 7 down to 2.6 M[Formula: see text]. Increased basicity of [Formula: see text]-alkyloxy and [Formula: see text]-alkylsulfanyl Pcs is caused by the stabilization of trapped hydrogen at azomethine nitrogen via hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions, respectively. The basicity of [Formula: see text]-series clearly correlated with the electronic effects of substituents.1H NMR studies confirmed the possibility of the weak bonding interactions in [Formula: see text]-alkyloxy and [Formula: see text]-alkylsulfanyl Pcs, however, the position of the1H NMR signal of azomethine-NH proton was even more influenced by the electronic effects of present substituents than by the weak interactions.

Synthesis of an ABCD-Type Phthalocyanine by Intramolecular Cyclization Reaction

Unsymmetrical phthalocyanines with a low symmetry can exhibit unique and intriguing properties that can facilitate their applications in certain disciplines. The synthesis of these compounds, however, has posed a great difficulty. A novel and unprecedented approach for phthalocyanine synthesis is reported that involves intramolecular cyclization of prelinked tetrakisphthalonitriles. By using this strategy, the first ABCD-type phthalocyanine has been prepared in 7.2% yield.