Effects of Electron-Withdrawing and Electron-Donating Groups on Aromaticity in Cyclic Conjugated Polyenes

Determining the aromaticity of various fluorinated benzenes is challenging as easily obtained experimental aromaticity [Δδ(Houter - Hinner)] necessitates the chemical shifts of inner and outer protons. This issue was addressed in porphyrinoids by replacing the electron-withdrawing (E.W.) groups at the meso-positions of porphyrins and allyliporphyrins. Electronic effects on aromaticity in porphyrinoids have not been thoroughly examined in the literature. In porphyrins, the effect of E.W. groups is minimal, making it difficult to establish a clear relationship between the aromaticity strength and E.W. groups. Conversely, in allyliporphyrins, stronger E.W. groups, such as indandione (IND) derivatives, significantly reduce the aromaticity of the parent structure. The IND derivatives disrupted the aromatic pathway of allyliporphyrin more effectively than those attached to porphyrins. This is attributed to the absence of β-carbons in allyliporphyrins. The effect of electron-donating (E.D.) groups on porphyrins and allyliporphyrins was further investigated. Contrary to the initial assumption that the E.D. groups might enhance aromaticity owing to their ability to increase electron density, as the strength of the E.D. groups increased, the aromaticity of the porphyrinoids decreased. Despite the modest reduction in aromaticity, any form of electron perturbation reduces aromaticity. The aromaticity of various fluorinated benzenes is expected to parallel our observations of porphyrinoids as representative aromatic polyenes.

Meso-Formyl, Vinyl, and Ethynyl Porphyrins-Multipotent Synthons for Obtaining a Diverse Array of Functional Derivatives

This review presents a strategy for obtaining various functional derivatives of tetrapyrrole compounds based on transformations of unsaturated carbon-oxygen and carbon-carbon bonds of the substituents at the meso position (meso-formyl, vinyl, and ethynyl porphyrins). First, synthetic approaches to the preparation of these precursors are described. Then diverse pathways for the transformations of the multipotent synthons are discussed, revealing a variety of products of such reactions. The structures, electronic, and optical properties of the compounds obtained by the methods under consideration are analyzed. In addition, there is an overview of the applications of the products obtained. Biomedical use of the compounds is among the most important. Finally, the advantages of using the reviewed synthetic strategy to obtain dyes with targeted properties are highlighted.

Photodynamic Activity of Tribenzoporphyrazines with Bulky Periphery against Wound Bacteria

Magnesium(II) tribenzoporphyrazines with phenoxybutylsulfanyl substituents were evaluated as photosensitizers in terms of their optical properties against wound bacteria. In the UV-vis spectra of analyzed tribenzoporphyrazines, typical absorption ranges were found. However, the emission properties were very weak, with fluorescence quantum yields in the range of only 0.002–0.051. What is important, they revealed moderate abilities to form singlet oxygen with the quantum yields up to 0.27. Under irradiation, the macrocycles decomposed via photobleaching mechanism with the quantum yields up to 8.64 × 10⁻⁵. The photokilling potential of tribenzoporphyrazines was assessed against Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as various strains of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-sensitive and-resistant bacteria. Both evaluated photosensitizers revealed high photodynamic potential against studied bacteria (>3 logs). S.aureus growth was reduced by over 5.9 log, methicillin-resistant S. aureus by 5.1 log, S.epidermidis by over 5.7 log, and S. pyogenes by over 4.7 log.

Acetylene and trans-Ethylene Bridged BIII -Subporphyrin Dimers

Acetylene and trans-ethylene bridged B^III -subporphyrin dimers were synthesized by cross-coupling reactions of meso-bromo B^III subporphyrin. These dimers display perturbed and red-shifted absorption spectra reaching around 750 nm and fluorescence reaching at around 850 nm with high quantum yields of 0.39 and 0.47, respectively. DFT calculations have revealed that the HOMOs and the LUMOs of both dimers are spread over the two subporphyrin units as an indication of effective conjugation between the two subporphyrin units. The large Stokes shifts and characteristic pico-second time-resolved transient absorption spectra indicated that the S₁ -states of the dimers relax with structural changes, which are larger for the trans-ethylene bridged dimer.

Restriction of the rotational relaxation of a butadiyne-bridged porphyrin dimer in ultrathin films

A way to stabilize the less energetically viable orthogonal conformation of a porphyrin dimer by means of a forced orientation at an interface is shown.

Molecular brakes based on the Zn(ii) porphyrin dimer

The rotational movement of molecular brakes based on two Zn–porphyrin units interconnected by a spacer may be reversibly locked by addition of an external auxiliary ligand.

Synthesis, singlet oxygen generation, photocytotoxicity and subcellular localization of azobisporphyrins as potentially photodynamic therapeutic agents in vitro cell study

Three azobisporphyrins (Por1, Por2 and Por3) were synthesized by coupling two molecules of (4-nitrophenyl/pyridyl) porphyrins in the presence of KOH/butanol. The structures of porphyrins were confirmed by UV, IR, NMR and mass spectra and elemental analysis. With tetraphenylporphyrin (H2TPP) as a control, the singlet oxygen (1O[Formula: see text] generation of porphyrins was evaluated through 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) method. The order of ability to generate 1O2 for three azobisporphyrins was Por 1 [Formula: see text]Por 2 > Por 3[Formula: see text] H2TPP. The photocytotoxicity and sub-cellular localization of azobisporphyrins over Hela cells were studied through MTT analysis and confocal laser scanning microscope, respectively. The results indicated Por 1 and Por 2 displayed the low dark-cytotoxicity, while Por 3 induced a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity to Hela cells with the concentration of porphyrins ranging from 1 to 100 [Formula: see text] M. With the light dose at 4 J/cm2, Por 3 killed more than 60% Hela cells at 2 [Formula: see text] M, indicating a high photocytoxicity. As seen from the laser scanning confocal microscopy images, Por 3 was mainly localized in cell membrane, while Por 1 and Por 2 do not displayed significant fluorescent emission in Hela cells. These results suggest the synthesized cationic azobisporphyrin could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for photodynamic therapy of cancers.

Nitrogen-Bridged Metallodiazaporphyrin Dimers: Synergistic Effects of Nitrogen Bridges and meso-Nitrogen Atoms on Structure and Properties

NH-bridged and pyrazine-fused metallodiazaporphyrin dimers have been prepared from nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of 3-amino-5,15-diazaporphyrin by Pd-catalyzed C-N cross-coupling and oxidative dimerization reactions, respectively. The synergistic effects of the nitrogen bridges and meso-nitrogen atoms play major roles in enhancing the light-harvesting properties and delocalization of an electron spin over the entire π-skeletons of the metallodiazaporphyrin dimers.

Ullmann-like reactions for the synthesis of complex two-dimensional materials

Engineering two-dimensional materials through surface-confined synthetic techniques is a promising avenue for designing new materials with tailored properties. Developing and understanding reaction mechanisms for surface-confined synthesis of two-dimensional materials requires atomic-level characterization and chemical analysis. Beggan et al (2015 Nanotechnology 26 365602) used scanning tunneling microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to elucidate the formation mechanism of surface-confined Ullmann-like coupling of thiophene substituted porphyrins on Ag(111). Upon surface deposition, bromine is dissociated and the porphyrins couple with surface adatoms to create linear strands and hexagonally packed molecules. Annealing the sample results in covalently-bonded networks of thienylporphyrin derivatives. A deeper understanding of surface-confined Ullmann-like coupling has the potential to lead to precision-engineered nano-structures through synthetic techniques.

meso-Nitro- and meso-Aminosubporphyrinatoboron(III)s and meso-to-meso Azosubporphyrinatoboron(III)s

meso-Nitrosubporphyrinatoboron(III) was synthesized by nitration of meso-free subporphyrin with AgNO₂ /I₂ . The subsequent reduction with a combination of NaBH₄ and Pd/C gave meso-aminosubporphyrinatoboron(III). meso-Nitro- and meso-amino-groups significantly influenced the electronic properties of subporphyrin, which has been confirmed by NMR and UV/Vis spectra, electrochemical analysis, and DFT calculations. Oxidation of meso-aminosubporphyrinatoboron(III)s with PbO₂ cleanly gave meso-to-meso azosubporphyrinatoboron(III)s that exhibited almost coplanar conformations and large electronic interaction through the azo-bridge.