High-valent transition metal centers versus noninnocent ligands in metallocorroles: insights from electrochemistry and implications for high-valent heme protein intermediates

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Silylation and Borylation of C-H Bonds for the Synthesis and Functionalization of Complex Molecules

The functionalization of C-H bonds in organic molecules containing functional groups has been one of the holy grails of catalysis. One synthetically important approach to the diverse functionalization of C-H bonds is the catalytic silylation or borylation of C-H bonds, which enables a broad array of downstream transformations to afford diverse structures. Advances in both undirected and directed methods for the transition-metal-catalyzed silylation and borylation of C-H bonds have led to their rapid adoption in early-, mid-, and late-stage of the synthesis of complex molecules. In this Review, we review the application of the transition-metal-catalyzed silylation and borylation of C-H bonds to the synthesis of bioactive molecules, organic materials, and ligands. Overall, we aim to provide a picture of the state of art of the silylation and borylation of C-H bonds as applied to the synthesis and modification of diverse architectures that will spur further application and development of these reactions.

Metal Complexes of Singly, Doubly and Triply Linked Porphyrins and Corroles: An Insight into the Physicochemical Properties

Metal complexes of multi-porphyrins and multi-corroles are unique systems that display a host of extremely interesting properties. Availability of free meso and β positions allow formation of different types of directly linked bis-porphyrins giving rise to intriguing optical and electronic properties. While the fields of metalloporphyrin and corroles monomer have seen exponential growth in the last decades, the chemistry of metal complexes of bis-porphyrins and bis-corroles remain rather underexplored. Therefore, the impact of covalent linkages on the optical, electronic, (spectro)electrochemical, magnetic and electrocatalytic activities of metal complexes of bis-porphyrins and -corroles has been summarized in this review article. This article shows that despite the (still) somewhat difficult synthetic access to these molecules, their extremely exciting properties do make a strong case for pursuing research on these classes of compounds.

From Antiaromatic Norcorrolatonickel(II) to Aromatic and Nonaromatic Zwitterions: Innocent Ligands with Unbalanced Charge of the Core

A three-component reaction of antiaromatic meso-mesityl-3-nitronorcorrolatonickel(II) 1-NO₂ with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate and PBu₃ yields aromatic zwitterionic corrole nickel(II) complexes 3-R with one of the meso-substituents comprising a positively charged tributyl phosphonium group and negatively charged coordination core. Reaction of 1-NO₂ with PBu₃ alone resulted in a nonaromatic chiral adduct 5 of a zwitterionic phlorine character with a −PBu₃⁺ group at a pyrrole β-position.

Elucidation of Factors That Govern the 2e-/2H+ vs 4e-/4H+ Selectivity of Water Oxidation by a Cobalt Corrole

Considering the importance of water splitting as the best solution for clean and renewable energy, the worldwide efforts for development of increasingly active molecular water oxidation catalysts must be accompanied by studies that focus on elucidating the mode of actions and catalytic pathways. One crucial challenge remains the elucidation of the factors that determine the selectivity of water oxidation by the desired 4e^-/4H⁺ pathway that leads to O₂ rather than by 2e^-/2H⁺ to H₂O₂. We now show that water oxidation with the cobalt-corrole CoBr₈ as electrocatalyst affords H₂O₂ as the main product in homogeneous solutions, while heterogeneous water oxidation by the same catalyst leads exclusively to oxygen. Experimental and computation-based investigations of the species formed during the process uncover the formation of a Co(III)-superoxide intermediate and its preceding high-valent Co-oxyl complex. The competition between the base-catalyzed hydrolysis of Co(III)-hydroperoxide [Co(III)-OOH]^- to release H₂O₂ and the electrochemical oxidation of the same to release O₂ via [Co(III)-O₂^•]^- is identified as the key step determining the selectivity of water oxidation.

Old Dog, New Tricks: Innocent, Five-coordinate Cyanocobalt Corroles

Three mono-CN ligated anionic cobalt A₃-triarylcorroles were synthesized and investigated as to their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties in CH₂Cl₂, pyridine (Py), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The newly synthesized corroles provide the first examples of air-stable cobalt corroles with an anionic axial ligand and are represented as [(Ar)₃CorCo^III(CN)]^-TBA⁺, where Cor is the trivalent corrole macrocycle, Ar is p-(CN)Ph, p-(CF₃)Ph, or p-(OMe)Ph, and TBA⁺ is the tetra-n-butylammonium (TBA) cation. Multiple redox reactions are observed for each mono-CN derivative with a key feature being a more facile first oxidation and a more difficult first reduction in all three solvents as compared to all previously examined corroles with similar meso- and β-pyrrole substituents. Formation constants (log K) for conversion of the five-coordinate mono-CN complex to its six-coordinate bis-CN form ranged from 10^2.8 for Ar = p-(OMe)Ph to 10^4.7 for Ar = p-(CN)Ph in DMSO as determined by spectroscopic methodologies. The in situ generated bis-CN complexes, represented as [(Ar)₃CorCo^III(CN)₂]^2-(TBA⁺)₂, and the mixed ligand complexes, represented as [(Ar)₃CorCo^III(CN)(Py)]^-TBA⁺, were also investigated as to their electrochemical and spectroscopic properties. UV-visible spectra and electrode reactions of the synthesized mono-CN derivatives are compared with the neutral mono-DMSO cobalt corrole complexes and the in situ generated bis-CN and bis-Py complexes, and the noninnocent (or innocent) nature of each cobalt corrole system is addressed. The data demonstrate the ability of the CN^- axial ligand(s) to stabilize the high-valent forms of the metallocorrole, leading to systems with innocent macrocyclic ligands. Although a number of six-coordinate cobalt(III) corroles with N-donor ligands were characterized in the solid state, a dissociation of one axial ligand readily occurs in nonaqueous solvents, and this behavior contrasts with the high stability of the currently studied bis-CN adducts in CH₂Cl₂, pyridine, or DMSO. Linear free energy relationships were elucidated between the meso-phenyl Hammett substituent constants (Σσ) and the measured binding constants, the redox potentials, and the energy of the band positions in the mono-CN and bis-CN complexes in their neutral or singly oxidized forms, revealing highly predictable trends in the physicochemical properties of the anionic corroles.

DNA-binding, photocleavage and anti-cancer activity of tin(IV) corrole

A new tin(IV) corrole, 5,10,15-tris(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl) corrole tin(IV) (1-Sn) was synthesized and characterized. The DNA binding, photocleavage and anti-cancer activity were studied and compared with its free-base. The interaction of 1-Sn and its free-base 1 with calf thymus DNA had been investigated by spectroscopic methods, viscosity measurements and molecular docking analysis. The results revealed that 1-Sn and 1 could interact with calf thymus DNA via an outside groove binding mode. Furthermore, although 1 displayed no photonuclease activity, 1-Sn exhibited good photonuclease activity as indicated by agarose gel electrophoresis, and superoxide anion might be the active intermediate for the DNA scission. Finally, 1 was nontoxic but 1-Sn displayed cytotoxicity towards A549 tumor cell lines.

Ligand Noninnocence in Iron Corroles: Insights from Optical and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopies and Electrochemical Redox Potentials

Two new series of iron meso-tris(para-X-phenyl)corrole (TpXPC) complexes, Fe[TpXPC]Ph and Fe[TpXPC]Tol, in which X=CF3 , H, Me, and OMe, and Tol=p-methylphenyl (p-tolyl), have been synthesized, allowing a multitechnique electronic-structural comparison with the corresponding FeCl, FeNO, and Fe2 (μ-O) TpXPC derivatives. Optical spectroscopy revealed that the Soret maxima of the FePh and FeTol series are insensitive to the phenyl para substituent, consistent with the presumed innocence of the corrole ligand in these compounds. Accordingly, we may be increasingly confident in the ability of the substituent effect criterion to serve as a probe of corrole noninnocence. Furthermore, four complexes-Fe[TPC]Cl, Fe[TPC](NO), {Fe[TPC]}2 O, and Fe[TPC]Ph-were selected for a detailed XANES investigation of the question of ligand noninnocence. The intensity-weighted average energy (IWAE) positions were found to exhibit rather modest variations (0.8 eV over the series of corroles). The integrated Fe-K pre-edge intensities, on the other hand, vary considerably, with a 2.5 fold increase for Fe[TPC]Ph relative to Fe[TPC]Cl and Fe[TPC](NO). Given the approximately C4v local symmetry of the Fe in all the complexes, the large increase in intensity for Fe[TPC]Ph may be attributed to a higher number of 3d holes, consistent with an expected FeIV -like description, in contrast to Fe[TPC]Cl and Fe[TPC](NO), in which the Fe is thought to be FeIII -like. These results afford strong validation of XANES as a probe of ligand noninnocence in metallocorroles. Electrochemical redox potentials, on the other hand, were found not to afford a simple probe of ligand noninnocence in Fe corroles.

Flexible Metal-Porphyrin Dimers (M=MnIII Cl, CoII , NiII , CuII ): Synthesis, Spectroscopy, Electrochemistry, Spectroelectrochemistry, and Theoretical Calculations

Four metalloporphyrin dimers linked by bridging amide-bonded xanthene moieties and that contain either Mn^III , Co^II , Ni^II , or Cu^II metal centers were synthesized. Various spectroscopic, electrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical methods were used to study trends in their properties. Their electronic structure and optical properties were analyzed through a comparison of the electronic absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectral data with the results of time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations.

The Planar Cyclooctatetraene Bridge in Bis-Metallic Macrocycles: Isolating or Conjugating?

A minor modification of the reported procedure for the synthesis of a corrole dimer that is fused by the cyclooctatetraene (COT) unit, (H₃tpfc)₂COT, allowed for its isolation in 18% yield. Of the two redox isomers that this interesting macrocycle does form, the current focus is on the reduced form, in which each subunit resembles that of monomeric corroles with a trianionic N₄ coordination core. The corresponding bis-gallium(III) complex was prepared as an entry into the potentially rich coordination chemistry of (H₃tpfc)₂COT. Both X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations disclosed that the COT moiety is essentially planar with very unusual nonalternating C-C bonds. The same holds true for the bis-gallium(III) complexes [(Ga-tpfc)₂]COT(py)₂ and [(Ga-tpfc)₂]COT(py)₄, obtained with one and two pyridine molecules coordinated to each metal ion, respectively. The electronic spectra of both the free base and the gallium(III) complexes display an extremely low energy band (λ_max at 720-724 nm), which points toward extensive π delocalization through the COT bridge. This aspect was fully addressed by examining the interactions between the two corrole subunits in terms of electrochemistry and DFT calculations of the oxidized and reduced macrocycle. The new near-IR bands that appear upon both oxidation (λ_max 1250 nm) and reduction (λ_max 1780 nm) serve as additional supporting evidence for this conclusion.

Dioxygen bound cobalt corroles

Two cobalt–dioxygen adducts, [CoH₈]–O₂ and [CoCl₈]–O₂, chelated by electron-rich and electron-poor corroles, respectively, were isolated in solution and characterized by resonance Raman.

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of trans-dihydroxy platinum(IV) porphyrins

Synthesis of two trans-dihydroxy platinum(IV) porphyrins (TPP, tetraphenylporphyrin and F[Formula: see text]TPP, tetrakispentafluorophenylporphyrin) by dimethyl dioxirane (DMD) oxidation of their Pt[Formula: see text] porphyrin precursors have been described. The oxidation state of Pt cation in such complexes was assessed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and shown to be [Formula: see text]4. More importantly, proton was found to promote the formation and stabilization of the trans-dihydroxy platinum(IV) porphyrins, as revealed by UV-vis spectroscopic results and single crystal structures. In addition, these trans-dihydroxy Pt[Formula: see text] porphyrins were much easier to be reduced than their Pt(II) counterparts and capable to transfer oxygen atom to triphenylphosphine and thioanisol, which is important for further application of Pt(IV) complexes in catalytic reactions.

Ligand noninnocence in FeNO corroles: insights from β-octabromocorrole complexes

With a noninnocent {FeNO}⁷-(corrole˙²⁻) formulation, the first FeNO octabromocorrole derivatives deepen our appreciation of ligand noninnocence.

Ligand Noninnocence in Coinage Metal Corroles: A Silver Knife-Edge

A silver β-octabromo-meso-triarylcorrole has been found to exhibit a strongly saddled geometry, providing the first instance of a strongly saddled corrole complex involving a metal other than copper. The Soret maxima of the Ag octabromocorroles also redshift markedly in response to increasingly electron-donating para substituents on the meso-aryl groups. In both these respects, the Ag octabromocorroles differ from simple Ag triarylcorrole derivatives, which exhibit only mild saddling and substituent-insensitive Soret maxima. These results have been rationalized in terms of an innocent M(III)-corrole(3-) description for the simple Ag corroles and a noninnocent M(II)-corrole(·2-) description for the Ag octabromocorroles. In contrast, all copper corroles are thought to be noninnocent, while all gold corroles are innocent. Uniquely among metallocorroles, silver corroles thus seem poised on a knife-edge, so to speak, between innocent and noninnocent electronic structures and may tip either way, depending on the exact nature of the corrole ligand.

Platinum corroles

Platinum has been inserted into corroles for the first time and three oxidized Pt(IV)(corrole˙(2-))ArAr' complexes have been structurally characterized. The Soret maxima of these complexes exhibit an unusually strong dependence on the meso-aryl substituents on the corrole, indicating aryl → corrole˙(2-) charge transfer character in these transitions.

Spectroelectrochemical characterization of meso triaryl-substituted Mn(IV), Mn(III) and Mn(II) corroles. Effect of solvent and oxidation state on UV-visible spectra and redox potentials in nonaqueous media

Two series of substituted manganese triarylcorroles were synthesized and characterized as to their electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties in CH 2 Cl 2, CH 3 CN and pyridine. The investigated compounds are represented as ( YPh )3 CorMn III and ( YPh )3 CorMn IV Cl , where Cor is a trianion of the corrole and Y is a Cl , F , H or CH 3 para-substituent on the three phenyl rings of the macrocycle. Each neutral Mn(III) corrole exists as a four-coordinate complex in CH 2 Cl 2 and CH 3 CN and as a five-coordinate species in pyridine. ( YPh )3 CorMn III undergoes two oxidations to stepwise generate a Mn(IV) corrole and a Mn(IV) π-cation radical. It also undergoes one reduction to generate a Mn(II) corrole in CH 2 Cl 2 or CH 3 CN . In contrast, the reduction of ( YPh )3 CorMn III leads to a Mn(III) corrole π-anion radical in pyridine. One oxidation is observed for ( YPh )3 CorMn IV Cl in CH 2 Cl 2 and CH 3 CN to generate a Mn(IV) corrole π-cation radical while Mn(III) and Mn(II) corroles are stepwise formed after reduction of the same compound. The second reduction of ( YPh )3 CorMn IV Cl in pyridine gives a Mn(III) π-anion radical as opposed to a Mn(II) corrole with an unreduced π-ring system. The neutral, reduced and oxidized forms of each corrole were characterized by electrochemistry and UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry and comparisons are made between the UV-visible spectra and redox potentials of the compounds in different central metal oxidation states. An overall reduction/oxidation mechanism in the three solvents is proposed.

Cryptic noninnocence: FeNO corroles in a new light

Multiple lines of evidence, including electronic absorption spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and broken-symmetry DFT calculations, indicate that the well-known FeNO corroles, long assumed to be {FeNO}⁶ complexes, are in fact better described as {FeNO}⁷-(corrole˙²⁻).

Synthesis and reactivity studies of a tin(II) corrole complex

A series of tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole (TPFC) tin(IV) and tin(II) complexes were prepared and studied by various characterization techniques including (1)H, (19)F, and (119)Sn NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The unusual 4-coordinate, monomeric, divalent tin(II) complex [(TPFC)Sn(II)](-) (2a) showed highly efficient reactivity toward alkenes and alkyl halides via a nucleophilic addition pathway leading to the quantitative formation of alkyl stannyl corrole compounds. DFT calculations confirmed the divalent nature of the tin center in 2a, and an NBO analysis showed about 99.99% Sn lone pair character, of which 83.6% was Sn 5s and 16.35% was Sn 5p character.

Phenyl derivative of iron 5,10,15-tritolylcorrole

The phenyl-iron complex of 5,10,15-tritolylcorrole was prepared by reaction of the starting chloro-iron complex with phenylmagnesium bromide in dichloromethane. The organometallic complex was fully characterized by a combination of spectroscopic methods, X-ray crystallography, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. All of these techniques support the description of the electronic structure of this phenyl-iron derivative as a low-spin iron(IV) coordinated to a closed-shell corrolate trianion and to a phenyl monoanion. Complete assignments of the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of the phenyl-iron derivative and the starting chloro-iron complex were performed on the basis of the NMR spectra of the regioselectively β-substituted bromo derivatives and the DFT calculations.

Molecular redox: revisiting the electronic structures of the group 9 metallocorroles

The electronic structures of monocationic tris[(5,10,15-pentafluorophenyl)-corrolato]iridium compounds, [Ir(tpfc)L2](+), where L = 4-cyanopyridine [1](+), pyridine [2](+), 4-methoxypyridine [3](+), or 4-(N,N'-dimethylamino)pyridine [4](+), have been probed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, Ir L3,2-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), UV/visible (UV-vis) spectroelectrochemistry, and density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations. The data demonstrate that these complexes, which have been previously formulated as either of the limiting cases [Ir(III)(tpfc(•))L2](+) or [Ir(IV)(tpfc)L2](+), are best described as possessing a singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) dominated by tpfc with small but significant Ir admixture. EPR g-values and electronic absorption spectra are reproduced well using a simple DFT approach. These quantities depend profoundly upon Ir orbital contribution to the SOMO. To wit, the calculated Ir spin population ranges from 10.6% for [1](+) to 16.3% for [4](+), reflecting increased Ir d mixing into the SOMO with increasingly electron-rich axial ligation. This gives rise to experimentally measured gz values ranging from 2.335 to 2.533, metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) bands ranging from 14730 and 14330 cm(-1), and [Ir(tpfc)L2](+/0) reduction potentials ranging from 0.305 to 0.035 V vs Fc(+/0). In addition, the calculated Ir character in the SOMO tracks with estimated Ir L3,2 XAS branching ratios (EBR), reflecting the increasing degree of Ir d orbital character upon proceeding from [1](+) to [4](+).

Gram-scale synthesis of nickel(II) norcorrole: the smallest antiaromatic porphyrinoid

Small is beautiful: A ring-contracted sister of porphyrin, norcorrole, has been synthesized efficiently as a stable molecule by a nickel-templated strategy. The norcorrole complex is stable but exhibits a distinct antiaromatic character according to the Hückel rule. Oxidation of the norcorrole complex provides an aromatic oxacorrole complex.

Recent advances in the chemistry of corroles and core-modified corroles

The aim of this review is to highlight recent progress in the chemistry of corroles and core-modified corroles. Emphasis is put on the synthetic and coordination aspects of corroles with meso substituents and corrolazines.

Free-base corroles: determination of deprotonation constants in non-aqueous media

A series of free-base corroles with different electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents were reacted with piperidine, 4-aminopyridine, 2-methylimidazole, 2-aminopyridine or pyridine in PhCN and the UV-visible spectral changes monitored during conversion of ( Cor ) H 3 to [( Cor ) H 2]- as a function of the concentration and strength of the added organic base. Analysis of the UV-visible spectral changes as a function of the added base concentration enabled calculation of equilibrium constants ( logK ) for deprotonation of each corrole under the given experimental conditions. Relationships are examined between the experimentally measured logK values and previously published spectroscopic and structural properties of the compounds.

Synthesis and redox properties of a [meso-tris(4-nitrophenyl) corrolato]Mn(III) complex

The Mn complexated corrole [ T (4- NO 2 P ) Corr ] Mn ( py ) (3) has been prepared ( py = pyridine ) where [ T (4- NO 2 P ) Corr ] is the trianion of the electron-poor 5,10,15-tris(4-nitrophenyl)corrole (1). The preparation of 3 includes a new synthetic method to form the corrole ligand 1 in a two-step synthesis. The Mn(III) complex gives a parallel mode EPR signal centered around g = 8.2 with six distinct hyperfine lines ( A || = 139 × 10-4 cm -1). Electrochemically 3 undergoes one reversible oxidation ( E 1/2 = 0.12 V vs Fc) and two reversible reductions ( E 1/2 = -1.45, -1.61 V). The oxidation is metal-centered and the product has been characterized by EPR spectroscopy as an S = 3/2 Mn(IV) species with no indication for oxidation of the macrocycle. The reductions of complex 3 are ligand based, and at the potential of the second reduction step a stable nitrogen centered radical with g = 2.0055 is generated. Chemical oxidation of 3 by iodosobenzene yields a Mn(IV) complex and epoxidation of cis-stilbene is not catalyzed by the Mn complex.

Parallel synthesis of meso-substituted corroles and meso-substituted [22]pentaphyrins(1.1.1.0.0) from diacyl-dipyrromethanes

A new method was devised for the synthesis of 1,9-diacyldipyrromethanes - crucial intermediates in the synthesis of meso-substituted corroles and porphyrins with different substituents. The diacylodipyrromethanes formation involves acylation of dipyrromethanes with salts made in situ from POCl 3 and tertiary amides. This modified Vilsmeier approach gives higher yields and no concomitant formation of monoacyldipyrromethanes as compared with the Grignard route. Moreover, compounds possessing groups previously inaccessible ( CN , NO 2 etc.) can be synthesized. During optimization of the transformation of diacyldipyrromethanes into meso-substituted corroles it was found that if macrocyclization reaction mediated by DDQ is performed in the presence of large excess of pyrrole, meso-substituted [22]pentaphyrins(1.1.1.0.0) can be obtained in moderate yield. The currently described procedure constitutes a new method for the synthesis of these valuable porphyrinoids. Corroles possessing interesting, easy to transform, functional groups were obtained in 3-40% yield.

Fe L- and K-edge XAS of low-spin ferric corrole: bonding and reactivity relative to low-spin ferric porphyrin

Corrole is a tetrapyrrolic macrocycle that has one carbon atom less than a porphyrin. The ring contraction reduces the symmetry from D(4h) to C(2v), changes the electronic structure of the heterocycle, and leads to a smaller central cavity with three protons rather than the two of a porphyrin. The differences between ferric corroles and porphyrins lead to a number of differences in reactivity including increased axial ligand lability and a tendency to form 5-coordinate complexes. The electronic structure origin of these differences has been difficult to study experimentally as the dominant porphyrin/corrole pi --> pi* transitions obscure the electronic transitions of the metal. Recently, we have developed a methodology that allows for the interpretation of the multiplet structure of Fe L-edges in terms of differential orbital covalency (i.e., the differences in mixing of the metal d orbitals with the ligand valence orbitals) using a valence bond configuration interaction model. Herein, we apply this methodology, combined with a ligand field analysis of the Fe K pre-edge to a low-spin ferric corrole, and compare it to a low-spin ferric porphyrin. The experimental results combined with DFT calculations show that the contracted corrole is both a stronger sigma donor and a very anisotropic pi donor. These differences decrease the bonding interactions with axial ligands and contribute to the increased axial ligand lability and reactivity of ferric corroles relative to ferric porphyrins.

The influence of X-rays on the structural studies of peroxide-derived myoglobin intermediates

In recent years, the awareness of potential radiation damage of metal centers in protein crystals during crystallographic data collection has received increasing attention. The radiation damage can lead to radiation-induced changes and reduction of the metal sites. One of the research fields where these concerns have been comprehensively addressed is the study of the reaction intermediates of the heme peroxidase and oxygenase reaction cycles. For both the resting states and the high-valent intermediates, the X-rays used in the structure determination have given undesired side effects through radiation-induced changes to the trapped intermediates. However, X-rays have been used to generate and trap the peroxy/hydroperoxy state in crystals. In this review, the structural work and the influence of X-rays on these intermediates in myoglobin are summarized and viewed in light of analogous studies on similar intermediates in peroxidases and oxygenases.