Conformational Fixation of a Rectangular Antiaromatic [28]Hexaphyrin Using Rationally Installed Peripheral Straps

Xanthene-Separated 24 π-Electron Antiaromatic Rosarin Dimer

Antiaromatic molecules have recently received attention because of their intrinsic properties, such as high reactivity and their narrow HOMO-LUMO gaps. Stacking of antiaromatic molecules has been predicted to induce three-dimensional aromaticity via frontier orbital interactions. Here, we report a covalently linked π-π stacked rosarin dimer that has been examined experimentally by steady-state absorption and transient absorption measurements and theoretically by quantum chemical calculations, including time-dependent density functional theory, anisotropy of induced current density, and nucleus-independent chemical shift calculations. Relative to the corresponding monomer, the dimer exhibits diminished antiaromaticity upon lowering the temperature to 77 K, a finding ascribed to intramolecular interactions between the macrocyclic rosarin subunits.

Modulations of a Metal-Ligand Interaction and Photophysical Behaviors by Hückel-Möbius Aromatic Switching

In organometallic complexes containing π-conjugated macrocyclic chelate ligands, conformational change significantly affects metal-ligand electronic interactions, hence tuning properties of the complexes. In this regard, we investigated the metal-ligand interactions in hexaphyrin mono-Pd(II) complexes Pd[28]M and Pd[26]H, which exhibit a redox-induced switching of Hückel-Möbius aromaticity and subsequent molecular conformation, and their effect on the electronic structure and photophysical behaviors. In Möbius aromatic Pd[28]M, the weak metal-ligand interaction leads to the π electronic structure of the hexaphyrin ligand remaining almost intact, which undergoes efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) assisted by the heavy-atom effect of the Pd metal. In Hückel aromatic Pd[26]H, the significant metal-ligand interaction results in ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) in the excited-state dynamics. These contrasting metal-ligand electronic interactions have been revealed by time-resolved electronic and vibrational spectroscopies and time-dependent DFT calculations. This work indicates that the conspicuous modulation of metal-ligand interaction by Hückel-Möbius aromaticity switching is an appealing approach to manipulate molecular properties of metal complexes, further enabling the fine-tuning of metal-ligand interactions and the novel design of functional organometallic materials.

Porphyrinoids, a unique platform for exploring excited-state aromaticity

Recently, Baird (anti)aromaticity has been referred to as a description of excited-state (anti)aromaticity. With the term of Baird's rule, recent studies have intensively verified that the Hückel aromatic [4n + 2]π (or antiaromatic [4n]π) molecules in the ground state are reversed to give Baird aromatic [4n]π (or Baird antiaromatic [4n + 2]π) molecules in the excited states. Since the Hückel (anti)aromaticity has great influence on the molecular properties and reaction mechanisms, the Baird (anti)aromaticity has been expected to act as a dominant factor in governing excited-state properties and processes, which has attracted intensive scientific investigations for the verification of the concept of reversed aromaticity in the excited states. In this scientific endeavor, porphyrinoids have recently played leading roles in the demonstration of the aromaticity reversal in the excited states and its conceptual development. The distinct structural and electronic nature of porphyhrinoids depending on their (anti)aromaticity allow the direct observation of excited-state aromaticity reversal, Baird's rule. The explicit experimental demonstration with porphyrinoids has contributed greatly to its conceptual development and application in novel functional organic materials. Based on the significant role of porphyrinoids in the field of excited-state aromaticity, this review provides an overview of the experimental verification of the reversal concept of excited-state aromaticity by porphyrinoids and the recent progress on its conceptual application in novel functional molecules.

Post Synthetic Modification of Planar Antiaromatic Hexaphyrin (1.0.1.0.1.0) by Regio-Selective, Sequential SNAr

In spite of unique structural, spectroscopic and redox properties, the synthetic variants of the planar, antiaromatic hexaphyrin (1.0.1.0.1.0) derivatives 2, has been limited due to the low yields and difficulty in access to the starting material. A chemical modification of the meso-substituents could be good alternative overcoming the synthetic barrier. Herein, we report a regio-selective nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr) of meso-pentafluorophenyl group in rosarrin 2 with catechol. The reaction afforded benzodioxane fused rosarrin 3 as single product with high yield. The intrinsic antiaromatic character of the starting rosarrin 2 retained throughout the reactions. Clean, two electron reduction was achieved by treatment of 3 with SnCl₂•2H₂O affording 26π-electron aromatic rosarrin 4. The synthesized compounds exhibited noticeable changes in photophysical and redox properties compared with starting rosarrin 2.

Corroles and Hexaphyrins: Synthesis and Application in Cancer Photodynamic Therapy

Corroles and hexaphyrins are porphyrinoids with great potential for diverse applications. Like porphyrins, many of their applications are based on their unique capability to interact with light, i.e., based on their photophysical properties. Corroles have intense absorptions in the low-energy region of the uv-vis, while hexaphyrins have the capability to absorb light in the near-infrared (NIR) region, presenting photophysical features which are complementary to those of porphyrins. Despite the increasing interest in corroles and hexaphyrins in recent years, the full potential of both classes of compounds, regarding biological applications, has been hampered by their challenging synthesis. Herein, recent developments in the synthesis of corroles and hexaphyrins are reviewed, highlighting their potential application in photodynamic therapy.

5,20-Bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-Substituted Antiaromatic [28]Hexaphyrin and Its Bis-NiII and Bis-CuII Complexes

5,20-Bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-[28]hexaphyrin was synthesized by acid catalyzed cross-condensation of meso-diaryl-substituted tripyrrane and ethyl 2-oxoacetate followed by subsequent oxidation. This hexaphyrin was found to be a stable 28π-antiaromatic compound with a dumbbell-like conformation. Upon oxidization with PbO₂ , this [28]hexaphyrin was converted into an aromatic [26]hexaphyrin with a rectangular shape bearing two ester groups at the edge side. The [28]hexaphyrin can incorporate two Ni^II or Cu^II metals by using the ester carbonyl groups and three pyrrolic nitrogen atoms to give bis-Ni^II and bis-Cu^II complexes with essentially the same dumbbell-like structure. The antiaromatic properties of the [28]hexaphyrin and its metal complexes have been well characterized.

Reversible π-system switching of thiophene-fused thiahexaphyrins by solvent and oxidation/reduction

The concept of chemical topology has generated considerable interest among chemists and one of the state-of-the-art topics is Möbius topology in cyclic π-conjugated molecules. In this regard, expanded porphyrins have been extensively studied because of their facile topological interconversions and attractive optoelectronic properties. A typical example involves [28]hexaphyrins: they show topological conversion between planar Hückel and twisted Möbius topologies owing to their flexible structure. With this in mind, we designed a [28]hexaphyrin where one dimethine pyrrole unit was replaced with dithieno[3,4-b:3',4'-d]thiophene (β-DTT), aiming at a reversible switching between macrocyclic and cross-conjugated π-systems by a change in molecular topologies. Considering that the β-DTT unit can offer both macrocyclic and cross-conjugated π-circuits, we envisioned that a combination of the topological interconversion of [28]hexaphyrin with the two π-circuits of the β-DTT unit would enable a reversible switching between macrocyclic and cross-conjugated π-circuits on Möbius and Hückel topologies, respectively, by a simple conformational change. Unexpectedly, the hexaphyrin revealed a unique, unprecedented π-system switching between a Möbius cross-conjugated π-system and a Hückel antiaromatic π-system, which was fully supported by both experimental and theoretical investigations. Meanwhile, the [28]hexaphyrin was also found to be redox interconvertible with the corresponding [26]hexaphyrin with a Hückel cross-conjugated π-system. These results demonstrate that the β-DTT unit is a new effective motif to realize π-system switching by changing molecular and π-system topologies. Importantly, external stimuli, i.e., solvent, as well as oxidation/reduction can be used to trigger the topological changes in expanded porphyrins with the help of the β-DTT unit.

Near-Infrared S2 Fluorescence from Deprotonated Möbius Aromatic [32]Heptaphyrin

This study revealed S₂ fluorescence from deprotonated meso-pentafluorophenyl-substituted Möbius aromatic [32]heptaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1.1) that was formed upon treatment of neutral antiaromatic [32]heptephyrin with tetrabutylammonium fluoride. Higher excited-state dynamics and emission were studied by fs-transient absorption spectroscopy and a broad-band fluorescence upconversion technique. This is the first S₂ fluorescence from chromophores with twisted Möbius topology, and the observation of S₂ fluorescence in the near-infrared region has been unprecedented. The higher excited-state dynamics of neutral and deprotonated [32]heptaphyrins were compared by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy to understand the S₂ fluorescence origin. In the antiaromatic [32]heptaphyrin, a fast time component of 65 fs was assigned as an internal conversion process from the S_B state to the S_Q state, which occurs prior to relaxation to the optically dark, lowest electronic state (S_D). Therefore, the S_Q state of the antiaromatic [32]heptaphyrin acts as a trap state intervening radiative transitions from the S_B state to the S₀ state. In deprotonated [32]heptaphyrin, the internal conversion from the S_B state to the S_Q state proceeds with a slower time constant of 150 fs for owing to its rigid structure, helping the observation of its S₂ fluorescence.

Electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of metallohexaphyrins containing bis-copper or bis-zinc central metal ions

Two meso-substituted bis-metallohexaphyrins were synthesized and characterized as to their electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties in nonaqueous media. The examined compounds are represented as HexaPyM2, where HexaPy represents an expanded macrocycle containing six pyrroles and M [Formula: see text] Cu(II) or Zn(II). Each hexaphyrin undergoes four reversible one-electron reductions and two irreversible oxidations in PhCN or CH2Cl2 containing 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate. The HexaPyCu2 is much easier to reduce than the corresponding Cu porphyrin with the same meso-substituents and it is also easier to reduce than a structurally related Cu(II) tripyrrinone. All four reductions of HexaPyM2 are assigned as [Formula: see text]-ring centered electron transfers to give [HexaPyM2][Formula: see text], [HexaPyM2][Formula: see text], [HexaPyM2][Formula: see text] and [HexaPyM2][Formula: see text], respectively. The neutral HexaPyCu2 and HexaPyZn2 also exhibit two oxidations, both of which are irreversible at a scan rate of 0.10 V/s. The peak separation between the first one-electron addition and the first electron abstraction of HexaPyM2 ranges from 1.46 to 1.72 V. These non-thermodynamic HOMO–LUMO gaps are similar to the range of HOMO–LUMO gaps for previously characterized sapphyrins which contain five pyrrole ring in the macrocycle.

Flexible Porphyrinoids

This review underscores the conformational flexibility of porphyrinoids, a unique class of functional molecules, starting from the smallest triphyrins(1.1.1) via [18]porphyrins(1.1.1.1) and concluding with a variety of expanded porphyrinoids and heteroporphyrinoids, including the enormous [96]tetracosaphyrin(1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0). The specific flexibility of porphyrinoids has been documented as instrumental in the designing or redesigning of macrocyclic frames, particularly in the search for adjustable platforms for coordination or organometallic chemistry, anion binding, or mechanistic switches in molecular devices. A structural prearrangement to coordinate one or more metal ions has been outlined. The coverage of the topic focuses on representative examples of geometry or conformational rearrangements for each selected class of the numerous porphyrinoids accordingly categorized by the number of built-in carbo- or heterocycles.

Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution on Pentafluorophenyl-Substituted Dipyrranes and Tetrapyrroles as a Route to Multifunctionalized Chromophores for Potential Application in Photodynamic Therapy

The application of porphyrinoids in biomedical fields, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), requires the introduction of functional groups to tune their solubility for the biological environment and to allow a coupling to other active moieties or carrier systems. A valuable motif in this regard is the pentafluorophenyl (PFP) substituent, which can easily undergo a regiospecific nucleophilic replacement (S_N Ar) of its para-fluorine atom by a number of nucleophiles. Here, it is shown that, instead of amino-substitution on the final porphyrinoid or BODIPY (boron dipyrromethene), the precursor 5-(PFP)-dipyrrane can be modified with amines (or alcohols). These dipyrranes were transformed into amino-substituted BODIPYs. Condensation of these dipyrranes with aldehydes gave access to trans-A₂ B₂ -porphyrins and trans-A₂ B-corroles. By using pentafluorobenzaldehyde, it was possible to introduce another para-fluorine atom, which enabled the synthesis of multifunctionalized tetrapyrroles. Furthermore, alkoxy- and amino-substituted dipyrranes were applied to the synthesis of A₃ B₃ -hexaphyrins. The polar porphyrins that were prepared by using this method exhibited in vitro PDT activity against several tumor cell lines.