Visible light-harvesting in covalently-linked porphyrin-cyanine dyes

Synthesis and Staphylococcus aureus biofilm inhibitory activity of indolenine-substituted pyrazole and pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives

Staphylococcus aureus is a highly adaptable opportunistic pathogen that can form biofilms and generate persister cells, leading to life-threatening infections that are difficult to treat with antibiotics alone. Therefore, there is a need for an effective S. aureus biofilm inhibitor to combat this public health threat. In this study, a small library of indolenine-substituted pyrazoles and pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives were synthesised, of which the hit compound exhibited promising antibiofilm activities against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA ATCC 29213) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA ATCC 33591) at concentrations significantly lower than the planktonic growth inhibition. The hit compound could prevent biofilm formation and eradicate mature biofilms of MSSA and MRSA, with a minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC50) value as low as 1.56 µg/mL and a minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC50) value as low as 6.25 µg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the hit compound against MSSA and MRSA were 50 µg/mL and 25 µg/mL, respectively, while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values against MSSA and MRSA were > 100 µg/mL. Preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis reveals that the fused benzene ring and COOH group of the hit compound are crucial for the antibiofilm activity. Additionally, the compound was not cytotoxic to human alveolar A549 cells, thus highlighting its potential as a suitable candidate for further development as a S. aureus biofilm inhibitor.

Accurate Prediction of the Excited States in the Fully Conjugated Porphyrin Tapes across the Full Spectral Range: A Story of the Interplay between π-π* and Intramolecular Charge-Transfer Transitions in Soft Chromophores

The ability of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) methods for the accurate prediction of the energies and oscillator strengths of the excited states in a series of fully conjugated meso-meso β-β β-β triple-linked porphyrin oligomers (porphyrin tapes 2-12) was probed in the gas phase and solution using several exchange-correlation functionals. It was demonstrated that the use of the hybrid B3LYP functional provides a good compromise for the accurate prediction of the localized π-π* and intramolecular charge-transfer transitions, thus allowing confident interpretation of the UV-vis-NIR spectra of porphyrin oligomers. The TDDFT-based sum-over-state (SOS) calculations for the porphyrin tape dimer 2 and trimer 3 as well as parent monomer 1 correctly predicted the signs and shapes of the magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) signals in the low-energy region of the spectra.

Excitation-Wavelength-Dependent Light-Induced Electron Transfer and Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer in N,N-Bis(4'-tert-butylbiphenyl-4-yl)aniline Functionalized Borondipyrromethenes

A series of bis(4'-tert-butylbiphenyl-4-yl)aniline (BBA) functionalized borondipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyads, Dyads 1-3, containing the BBA group tethered to BODIPY moiety either directly or through a phenyl or alkynyl phenyl spacers are synthesized, and the light-mediated charge transfer within the chromophores has been systematically investigated. The crystal structure of Dyad-1 showed a tilt of 44.2° between the BODIPY and BBA molecular planes and intermolecular C-H···π interactions with these moieties. Cyclic voltammetric and computational studies showed that the BBA moiety can act as the electron donor (D) and BODIPY as the electron acceptor (A) and the optical absorption studies revealed that an increase in the conjugation of the linker from Dyad-1 to Dyad-2 resulted in bathochromic shifts. Steady-state fluorescence studies involving photoexcitation of the BBA moiety at 326 nm resulted in the decrease in fluorescence intensity of the BBA, indicating the possibility of sequential occurrence of faster photoinduced energy transfer (PEnT) followed by the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) or solely PET within the dyads, and the driving forces of the charge separation were calculated to be exothermic in all of the employed solvents. Parallel time-resolved fluorescence experiments involving the excitation of BBA moiety also supported the occurrence of charge separation in these dyads. Interestingly, excitation of the BODIPY moiety of Dyad-1 and Dyad-2 at 490 nm in solvents of increasing polarity leads to a red-shifted BODIPY emission with weakened intensity. This spectral behavior indicated the occurrence of emission from the locally excited (LE) state in nonpolar solvents, whereas formation of an LE state followed by the rotation of the chromophores at the D-A bond leads to a low energy twisted intramolecular charge transfer state (TICT), resulting in a charge-separated state BBA^+•-BODIPY^-• in polar solvents. Furthermore, the hydrophobicity studies involving the solutions of dyads in admixtures of polar tetrahydrofuran (THF) and nonpolar hexanes revealed that when the fraction of hexanes in these mixtures is increased, the emission of BODIPY moiety was observed to be blue-shifted and exhibited enhanced intensity supporting the occurrence of TICT in these dyads.

Structure-controlled polymers prepared by pseudo-living addition-condensation polymerization and their application to light harvesting

An A,B-block amphiphilic polymer and a branched polymer were prepared by using a new type of pseudo-living addition-condensation polymerization. The first polymer showed an interphase photoinduced energy transfer in a micellar system, while the second type showed efficient light-harvesting ability.

Aggregation-controlled excimer emission in an axial anthracene–Sn(iv)porphyrin–anthracene triad in the solid and solution phases

An anthracene–porphyrin donor–acceptor triad has been synthesized and its photophysical properties along with excimer behavior are investigated.

Carbazole–corrole and carbazole–prophyrin dyads: synthesis, fluorescence and electrochemical studies

Carbazole–corrole and carbazole–porphyrin dyads were synthesized, and fluorescence studies indicated efficient energy transfer from carbazole-donor to corrole/porphyrin acceptor in the dyads.

Interplay between singlet and triplet excited states in a conformationally locked donor–acceptor dyad

The synthesis and photophysical characterization of a palladium(ii) porphyrin – anthracene dyad bridged via short and conformationally rigid bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene spacer were achieved.

Vegetable-based dye-sensitized solar cells

In this review we provide an overview of vegetable pigments in dye-sensitized solar cells, starting from main limitations of cell performance to cost analysis and scaling-up prospects.

Linear conjuncted porphyrin trimer synthesis via "click" reaction

Two isomers of porphyrin trimer with 1,4-diaryltriazole linkers have been synthesized using "click" methodology and characterized by MS, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. The porphyrin compounds were shown to exhibit photostability and high solubility. Photophysical data were compared with corresponding ones of synthesized triazole-bridged dimer with the same electronic surrounding and known linear dimer and trimer with diarylethyne linkers. Obtained data revealed weak inter-chromophore electronic communication in the ground state but significant exciton coupling whereas the properties of the individual chromophores are mainly retained for triazole-bridged dimer and trimers.

Synthesis of perylene-porphyrin dyads for light-harvesting studies

The spectral coverage of porphyrin-based light-harvesting arrays can be enhanced through the use of suitable accessory pigments. Perylene-monoimide dyes can serve as valuable accessory pigments with porphyrins. To investigate the choice of perylene-monoimide and the effects of molecular architecture on light-harvesting efficacy, five perylene-porphyrin dyads were prepared. Each dyad employs a diphenylethyne linker that bridges the perylene N-imide site and the porphyrin meso-position. Three dyads incorporate a mono-phenoxy perylene at the o-, m-, or p-position of the meso-aryl group on the porphyrin. The two remaining dyads incorporate a perylene-monoimide (bearing zero or three phenoxy substituents) at the p-position of the meso-aryl group on the porphyrin. The introduction of phenoxy groups on the perylenes increases the solubility, a key requirement for use in light-harvesting arrays. The long-wavelength absorption band of the perylene shifts from 506 nm to 532 or 533 nm upon substitution with one or three phenoxy groups, respectively. The synthesis of the dyads entails Pd -mediated coupling of a bromo-perylene and an ethynyl porphyrin, or the mixed-aldehyde condensation with a perylene-aldehyde, mesitaldehyde, and pyrrole. Five perylene-monoimide dyes bearing an ethyne or bromo substituent at the p-position of the N-aryl unit were developed for this modular chemistry. Each perylene-porphyrin dyad exhibits efficient energy transfer from the excited perylene to the ground-state porphyrin.

Synthesis of porphyrins for metal deposition studies in molecular information storage applications

Porphyrins may serve as the active charge-storage medium in memory chips. A series of 14 porphyrins (trans-A2B2, trans-AB2C, or A4 type; free base, copper or zinc chelate) has been synthesized for investigation of metal deposition on porphyrin monolayers. Each trans-AB2C porphyrin is equipped with a surface attachment group and a distal functional group (or flanking functional groups). The surface attachment groups include S-acetylthiomethyl, hydroxymethyl, TMS-ethynyl, allyl, and triallylmethyl; the functional groups include amino, cyano, dipyrrin-5-yl, formyl, and nitro; all of which are attached to the p-position of a porphyrin meso-phenyl group. Two non-redox-active triallylmethyl-substituted arenes were also prepared for use as control compounds.

Triazole bridges as versatile linkers in electron donor-acceptor conjugates

Aromatic triazoles have been frequently used as π-conjugated linkers in intramolecular electron transfer processes. To gain a deeper understanding of the electron-mediating function of triazoles, we have synthesized a family of new triazole-based electron donor-acceptor conjugates. We have connected zinc(II)porphyrins and fullerenes through a central triazole moiety--(ZnP-Tri-C(60))--each with a single change in their connection through the linker. An extensive photophysical and computational investigation reveals that the electron transfer dynamics--charge separation and charge recombination--in the different ZnP-Tri-C(60) conjugates reflect a significant influence of the connectivity at the triazole linker. Except for the m4m-ZnP-Tri-C(60)17, the conjugates exhibit through-bond photoinduced electron transfer with varying rate constants. Since the through-bond distance is nearly the same for all the synthesized ZnP-Tri-C(60) conjugates, the variation in charge separation and charge recombination dynamics is mainly associated with the electronic properties of the conjugates, including orbital energies, electron affinity, and the energies of the excited states. The changes of the electronic couplings are, in turn, a consequence of the different connectivity patterns at the triazole moieties.

Design and synthesis of water-soluble bioconjugatable trans-AB-porphyrins

Three free base porphyrins have been prepared that bear a polar and facially encumbering 2,4,6-tris(carboxymethoxy)phenyl motif at one meso (5-) position. The only other substituent (15-position) comprises phenyl, formyl, or p-aminophenyl. The porphyrins exhibit solubility in water (or aqueous buffer solutions) at pH >/=7 and concentrations >1 mM at room temperature. The concise syntheses, water-solubility, and bioconjugatable handle make these porphyrin constructs suitable for biological applications.

Synthesis of porphyrins bearing 1-4 hydroxymethyl groups and other one-carbon oxygenic substituents in distinct patterns

Porphyrins that bear one-carbon oxygenic substituents (hydroxymethyl, formyl, ester) directly attached to the macrocycle afford a compact architecture that is attractive for diverse applications. Routes to 9 porphyrins bearing such groups in distinct architectures (A(4)-, trans-A(2)-, trans-A(2)B(2)-, trans-AB- and trans-AB(2)C-porphyrins) have been explored (A = hydroxymethyl), including porphyrins bearing two one-carbon units in different oxidation states (hydroxymethyl/ester, formyl/ester). The hydroxymethyl group was introduced via TBDMS-protected dipyrromethane precursors.

Synthesis of Hydrodipyrrins Tailored for Reactivity at the 1- and 9-Positions

A collection of 33 hydrodipyrrins (9 targets, 21 intermediates, and 3 byproducts) has been prepared. The hydrodipyrrins (dihydrodipyrrins, tetrahydrodipyrrins, and hexahydrodipyrrins) contain a pyrrole ring and a geminal-dimethyl substituted 1-pyrroline (or pyrrolidine) ring. The alpha-substituents on the pyrrole ring (H, Br, CHO) and pyrroline ring (H, CH(3), CH(OR)(2), OMe, SMe) provide different reactivity combinations (Nu(-), E(+)) and 0, 1, or 2 carbon atoms (which can give rise to the bridging meso-carbons in hydroporphyrins). Straightforward access to various hydrodipyrrins should facilitate development of syntheses of diverse hydroporphyrins.

Porphyrin Dyads Bearing Carbon Tethers for Studies of High-Density Molecular Charge Storage on Silicon Surfaces

Redox-active molecules that afford high charge density upon attachment to an electroactive surface are of interest for use in molecular-based information-storage applications. One strategy for increasing charge density is to covalently link a second redox center to the first in an architecture that uses the vertical dimension in essentially the same molecular footprint. Toward this end, a set of four new porphyrin dyads have been prepared and characterized. Each dyad consists of two zinc porphyrins, an intervening linker (p-phenylene or 4,4'-diphenylethyne), and a surface attachment group (ethynyl or triallyl group). The porphyrin dyads were attached to an electroactive Si(100) surface and interrogated via electrochemical and FTIR techniques. The charge density obtainable for the ethynyl-functionalized porphyrin dyads is approximately double that observed for an analogously functionalized monomer, whereas that for the triallyl-functionalized dyads is at most 40% larger. These results indicate that the molecular footprint of the former dyads is similar to that of a monomer while that of the latter dyads is larger. For both the ethynyl- and triallyl-functionalized porphyrin dyads, higher charge densities (smaller molecular footprints) are obtained for the molecules containing the 4,4'-diphenylethyne versus the p-phenylene linker. This feature is attributed to the enhanced torsional flexibility of the former linker compared with that of the latter, which affords better packed monolayers. The FTIR studies indicate that the adsorption geometry of all the dyads is qualitatively similar and similar to that of monomers. However, the dyads containing the 4,4'-diphenylethyne linker sit somewhat more upright on the surface than those containing the p-phenylene linker, generally consistent with the smaller molecular footprint for the former dyads. Collectively, the high surface charge density (34-58 muC.cm(-)(2)) of the porphyrin dyads makes these constructs viable candidates for molecular-information-storage applications.

Porphyrin Architectures Tailored for Studies of Molecular Information Storage

A molecular approach to information storage employs redox-active molecules tethered to an electroactive surface. Zinc porphyrins tethered to Au(111) or Si(100) provide a benchmark for studies of information storage. Three sets of porphyrins have been synthesized for studies of the interplay of molecular design and charge-storage properties: (1) A set of porphyrins is described for probing the effect of surface attachment atom on electron-transfer kinetics. Each porphyrin bears a meso-CH2X group for surface attachment where X = OH, SAc, or SeAc. (2) A set of porphyrins is described for studying the effect of surface-charge density in monolayers. Each porphyrin bears a benzyl alcohol for surface attachment and three nonlinking meso substituents of a controlled degree of bulkiness. (3) A set of porphyrins is described that enables investigation of on-chip patterning of the electrolyte. Each porphyrin bears a formyl group distal to the surface attachment group for subsequent derivatization with a molecular entity that comprises the electrolyte. Taken together, this collection of molecules enables a variety of studies to elucidate design issues in molecular-based information storage.

Synthesis of Porphyrins Bearing Hydrocarbon Tethers and Facile Covalent Attachment to Si(100)

The use of redox-active molecules as the active storage elements in memory chips requires the ability to attach the molecules to an electroactive surface in a reliable and robust manner. To explore the use of porphyrins tethered to silicon via carbosilane linkages, 17 porphyrins have been synthesized. Fourteen porphyrins bear a tether at a single meso site, and three porphyrins bear functional groups at two beta sites for possible two-point attachment. Two high-temperature processing methods (400 degrees C under inert atmosphere) have been developed for rapid (minutes), facile covalent attachment to Si platforms. The high-temperature processing conditions afford attachment either by direct deposition of a dilute solution (1 microM-1 mM) of the porphyrin sample onto the Si substrate or sublimation of a neat sample onto the Si substrate. The availability of this diverse collection of porphyrins enables an in-depth examination of the effects of the tether (length, composition, terminal functional group, number of tethers) and steric bulk of nonlinking substituents on the information-storage properties of the porphyrin monolayers obtained upon attachment to silicon. Attachment proceeds readily with a wide variety of hydrocarbon tethers, including 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl, vinyl, allyl, or 3-butenyl directly appended to the porphyrin and iodo, bromomethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl, ethynyl, vinyl, or allyl appended to the 4-position of a meso-phenyl ring. No attachment occurs with substituents such as phenyl, p-tolyl, mesityl, or ethyl. Collectively, the studies show that the high-temperature attachment procedure (1) has broad scope encompassing diverse functional groups, (2) tolerates a variety of arene substituents, and (3) does not afford indiscriminate attachment. The high-temperature processing conditions are ideally suited for use in fabrication of hybrid molecular/semiconductor circuitry.

A New Route to meso-Formyl Porphyrins

Prior syntheses of porphyrins bearing meso-formyl groups have generally employed the Vilsmeier formylation of an acid-resistant copper or nickel porphyrin. A new approach for the synthesis of free base porphyrins bearing one or two (cis or trans) meso-formyl substituents entails the use of a dipyrromethane bearing an acetal group at the 5-position, a dipyrromethane-1-carbinol bearing an acetal group at the 5-position or carbinol position, or a dipyrromethane-1,9-dicarbinol bearing an acetal group at a carbinol position. Treatment of the resulting meso-acetal-substituted free base porphyrin to gentle acidic hydrolysis yields the corresponding meso-formyl porphyrin.

Excited-state energy-transfer dynamics of self-assembled imine-linked porphyrin dyads

Toward the development of new strategies for the synthesis of multiporphyrin arrays, we have prepared and characterized (electrochemistry and static/time-resolved optical spectroscopy) a series of dyads composed of a zinc porphyrin and a free base porphyrin joined via imine-based linkers. One dyad contains two zinc porphyrins. Imine formation occurs under gentle conditions without alteration of the porphyrin metalation state. Five imine linkers were investigated by combination of formyl, benzaldehyde, and salicylaldehyde groups with aniline and benzoic hydrazide groups. The imine-linked dyads are quite stable to routine handling. The excited-state energy-transfer rate from zinc to free base porphyrin ranges from (70 ps)(-)(1) to (13 ps)(-)(1) in toluene at room temperature depending on the linker employed. The energy-transfer yield is generally very high (>97%), with low yields of deleterious hole/electron transfer. Collectively, this work provides the foundation for the design of multiporphyrin arrays that self-assemble via stable imine linkages, have predictable electronic properties, and have comparable or even enhanced energy-transfer characteristics relative to those of other types of covalently linked systems.

Excited-State Energy-Transfer Dynamics in Self-Assembled Triads Composed of Two Porphyrins and an Intervening Bis(dipyrrinato)metal Complex

The synthesis and characterization of various triads composed of a linear array of two zinc porphyrins joined via an intervening bis(dipyrrinato)metal(II) complex are reported. The preparation exploits the facile complexation of dipyrrins with divalent metal ions to give bis(dipyrrinato)metal(II) complexes [abbreviated (dp)(2)M]. Copper(II) and palladium(II) chelates of dipyrrins (available by oxidation of dipyrromethanes) were prepared in 50-80% yield. A one-flask synthesis of bis(dipyrrinato)zinc(II) complexes was developed by oxidation of a dipyrromethane with DDQ or p-chloranil in the presence of Zn(OAc)(2).2H(2)O in THF ( approximately 80% yield). Three routes were developed for preparing porphyrin-dipyrrins: (1). Suzuki coupling of a boronate-substituted zinc porphyrin (ZnP) and bis[5-(4-iodophenyl)dipyrrinato]Pd(II) to give the (ZnP-dp)(2)Pd triad (50% yield), followed by selective demetalation of the (dp)(2)Pd unit by treatment with 1,4-dithiothreitol under neutral conditions (71% yield); (2). oxidation of a porphyrin-dipyrromethane with p-chloranil in the presence of Zn(OAc)(2).2H(2)O followed by chromatography on silica gel (71% yield); and (3). condensation of a dipyrrin-dipyrromethane and a dipyrromethane-dicarbinol under InCl(3) catalysis followed by oxidation with DDQ (10-16% yield). Four triads of form (ZnP-dp)(2)Zn were prepared in 83-97% yield by treatment of a porphyrin-dipyrrin with Zn(OAc)(2).2H(2)O at room temperature. Free base dipyrrins typically absorb at 430-440 nm, while the bis(dipyrrinato)metal complexes absorb at 460-490 nm. The fluorescence spectra/yields and excited-state lifetimes of the (ZnP-dp)(2)Zn triad in toluene show (1). efficient energy transfer from the bis(dipyrrinato)zinc(II) chromophore to the zinc porphyrins (98.5% yield), and (2). little or no quenching of the resulting excited zinc porphyrin relative to the isolated chromophore. Taken together, these results indicate that bis(dipyrrinato)zinc(II) complexes can serve as self-assembling linkers that further function as secondary light-collection elements in porphyrin-based light-harvesting arrays.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of light-harvesting arrays comprised of a porphyrin bearing multiple perylene-monoimide accessory pigments

We present the synthesis and characterization of new light-harvesting arrays containing two, four, or eight perylene-monoimide accessory pigments attached to a zinc porphyrin. Each perylene is substituted with one or three 4-tert-butylphenoxy substituents. A 4,3'- or 4,2'-diarylethyne linker joins the perylene N-imide position and the porphyrin meso-position, affording divergent or convergent architectures, respectively. The architectures are designed to provide high solubility in organic media and facile perylene-to-porphyrin energy transfer, while avoiding charge-transfer quenching of the excited porphyrin product. For the array containing four perylenes per porphyrin in both nonpolar (toluene) and polar (benzonitrile) media and for the array containing eight perylenes per porphyrin in toluene, the photoexcited perylene-monoimide dye (PMI) decays rapidly ( approximately 3.5 ps) and predominantly (>or=90%) by energy transfer to the zinc porphyrin to form the excited zinc porphyrin (Zn), which has excited-state characteristics (lifetime, fluorescence yield) comparable (within approximately 10%) to those of the isolated chromophore. For the array containing eight perylenes in benzonitrile, PMI decays approximately 80% by energy transfer (forming Zn) and approximately 20% by hole transfer (forming PMI- Zn+); Zn subsequently decays approximately 20% by electron transfer (also forming PMI- Zn+) and approximately 80% by the normal routes open to the porphyrin monomer (intersystem crossing, internal conversion, fluorescence). In addition to rapid and efficient perylene-to-porphyrin energy transfer, the broad blue-green to yellow absorption of the perylene dyes complements the blue absorption of the porphyrin, resulting in excellent light harvesting across a significant spectral region. Collectively, the work described herein identifies multiperylene-porphyrin arrays that exhibit suitable photochemical properties for use as motifs in larger light-harvesting systems.