Iron and Copper Complexes of Tetraphenyl-m-benziporphyrin: Reactivity of the Internal C−H Bond

Near-infrared absorbing nonaromatic core-modified meta-benzicalixhexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1)s

Stable nonaromatic core-modified m-benzicalixhexaphyrins containing one m-phenylene ring, four pyrrole rings and one heterocyclic ring such as furan, thiophene, selenophene and telluorophene connected via four meso-sp2 carbons and two meso-sp3 carbons in a macrocyclic framework were synthesized. The m-benzitripyrrane dicarbinol was condensed with 16-heterocycle tripyrranes under mild acid-catalyzed and inert conditions followed by open-air oxidation with DDQ to obtain macrocycles in 2-5% yields. The presence of two -OH groups in the cis-orientation at two different meso-sp3 carbons, which are adjacent to the m-phenylene ring of the macrocycle, was confirmed through detailed 1D and 2D NMR studies. NMR studies indicated that the heterocyclic ring present across the m-phenylene ring prefers to be in the inverted conformation in these macrocycles. The macrocycles exhibited two intense absorption bands in the lower wavelength region of 320-580 nm and one broad absorption band that extended from the visible to NIR region, and the protonated derivatives of such macrocycles showed significant bathochromic shifts to the NIR region. Additionally, the electrochemical studies indicated that the macrocycles underwent easier oxidation due to their electron-rich nature. DFT studies revealed that the macrocycles adopted highly distorted conformation, which was consistent with experimental results.

Synthesis and Properties of Nonaromatic meso-fused Heterobenzihomoporphyrin(2.1.1.1)s

Fluorene-based tripyrrane has been used as a fused precursor to synthesize three novel examples of nonaromatic meso-fused thia and selenabenzihomoporphyrin(2.1.1.1)s by condensing it with appropriate 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)aryl thiophene or selenophene under acid catalyzed conditions. The meso-fused heterobenzihomoporphyrins contain one fluorene unit, two pyrrole rings and one thiophene/selenophene ring connected via five meso-carbons in the macrocyclic framework. The macrocycles were thoroughly characterized by HR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, absorption, cyclic voltammetry and DFT/TD-DFT studies. NMR, absorption, and DFT studies indicated the nonaromatic nature of meso-fused heterobenzihomoporphyrins. The macrocycles displayed one intense band at ∼380 nm along with a shoulder band at 450 nm and a broad band in the region of 590-850 nm which were bathochromically shifted in the monoprotonated derivatives and absorbed prominently in the NIR region with the peak maxima at ∼1035 nm. The electrochemical studies revealed that the macrocycles showed three well-defined oxidations and reductions, and TD-DFT studies corroborated experimental observations.

Organometallic Chemistry within the Structured Environment Provided by the Macrocyclic Cores of Carbaporphyrins and Related Systems

The unique environment within the core of carbaporphyrinoid systems provides a platform to explore unusual organometallic chemistry. The ability of these structures to form stable organometallic derivatives was first demonstrated for N-confused porphyrins but many other carbaporphyrin-type systems were subsequently shown to exhibit similar or complementary properties. Metalation commonly occurs with catalytically active transition metal cations and the resulting derivatives exhibit widely different physical, chemical and spectroscopic properties and range from strongly aromatic to nonaromatic and antiaromatic species. Metalation may trigger unusual, highly selective, oxidation reactions. Alkyl group migration has been observed within the cavity of metalated carbaporphyrins, and in some cases ring contraction of the carbocyclic subunit takes place. Over the past thirty years, studies in this area have led to multiple synthetic routes to carbaporphyrinoid ligands and remarkable organometallic chemistry has been reported. An overview of this important area is presented.

Synthesis and Studies of Fused Benzo-Benzisapphyrins

A series of rare examples of fused benzo-benzisapphyrins were synthesized readily by (3 + 2) condensation of benzodipyrrole-derived diol and para-benzitripyrrane in the presence of 0.5 equiv of TFA in CH₂Cl₂ under inert atmosphere conditions accompanied by DDQ oxidation in open air. The crude compounds were separated by basic alumina column chromatography and afforded pure fused benzo-benzisapphyrins in 20-22% yields. The fused sapphyrins were characterized in detail by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy. The ¹H NMR spectra recorded at both 298 and at 233 K clearly exhibited the presence of a strong diatropic ring current in benzo-benzisapphyrins, and the macrocycles are of aromatic nature. The DFT-optimized structure of benzo-benzisapphyrin revealed that the macrocycle was planar to a great extent due to the rigid structure of the dibenzopyrrole moiety, and the NICS(0) value of -11.2 ppm supports the aromatic nature of macrocycles. The absorption spectra of benzo-benzisapphyrins showed three weak Q bands approximately in the region of 650-900 nm and a strong Soret band at 480 nm, along with a shoulder band at ∼510 nm. The diprotonated derivative generated by the addition of excess TFA to the benzo-benzisapphyrin macrocycle exhibited bathochromically shifted absorption bands compared to the free base macrocycle.

Synthesis and properties of p-benzithiahexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1)s

Novel Mobius aromatic p-benzithiahexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1)s having twisted topology were synthesized by [3 + 3] condensation of benzitripyrrane diol and appropriate 16-thiatripyrranes under TFA-catalysed conditions.

Synthesis and Properties of Nonaromatic Meta-Benziheptaphyrins and Aromatic Para-Benziheptaphyrins

Two examples of nonaromatic m -benziheptaphyrins and two examples of aromatic p -benziheptaphyrins were synthesized by [5+2] condensation of appropriate m -benzi pentapyrrane and p -benzi pentapyrrane respectively and bithiophene diol in CH 2 Cl 2 in the presence of one equivalent of TFA under inert conditions for 30 min followed by oxidation with DDQ in open air for 1 h. The 1 H NMR studies carried out at room temperature as well as at lower temperature indicated the nonaromatic nature of m -benziheptaphyrins with inversion of two thiophene rings and aromatic nature of p -benziheptaphyrins with inversion of one of the thiophene ring. The X-ray structure obtained for one of the p -benziheptaphyrins showed a planar conformation with alignment of one of the thiophene ring away from the macrocyclic inner core but maintained its coplanarity with the mean plane and supported the aromatic nature of the macrocycle. The absorption spectra of m -benziheptaphyrins resembled with the nonaromatic systems and showed two intense bands at 445 nm, 555 nm and a very broad band in the region of 600-1100 nm whereas the p -benziheptaphyrin showed three sharp intense bands at 534 nm, 585 nm and 832 nm due to their aromatic nature. The protonation of m -benziheptaphyrins and p -benziheptaphyrins resulted in significant bathochromic shifts in their absorption maxima and showed strong absorption in NIR region. The electrochemical studies indicated that m - & p -benziheptaphyrins undergo oxidations and reductions easily. DFT and TD-DFT studies were in agreement with the experimental observations.

Metal Complexes of Porphyrinoids Containing Nonpyrrolic Heterocycles

The replacement of one or more pyrrolic building block(s) of a porphyrin by a nonpyrrolic heterocycle leads to the formation of so-called pyrrole-modified porphyrins (PMPs), porphyrinoids of broad structural variability. The wide range of coordination environments (type, number, charge, and architecture of the donor atoms) that the pyrrole-modified frameworks provide to the central metal ions, the frequent presence of donor atoms at their periphery, and their often observed nonplanarity or conformational flexibility distinguish the complexes of the PMPs clearly from those of the traditional square-planar, dianionic, N₄-coordinating (hydro)porphyrins. Their different coordination properties suggest their utilization in areas beyond which regular metalloporphyrins are suitable. Following a general introduction to the synthetic methodologies available to generate pyrrole-modified porphyrins, their general structure, history, coordination chemistry, and optical properties, this Review highlights the chemical, electronic (optical), and structural differences of specific classes of metalloporphyrinoids containing nonpyrrolic heterocycles. The focus is on macrocycles with similar "tetrapyrrolic" architectures as porphyrins, thusly excluding the majority of expanded porphyrins. We highlight the relevance and application of these metal complexes in biological and technical fields as chemosensors, catalysts, photochemotherapeutics, or imaging agents. This Review provides an introduction to the field of metallo-PMPs as well as a comprehensive snapshot of the current state of the art of their synthesis, structures, and properties. It also aims to provide encouragement for the further study of these intriguing and structurally versatile metalloporphyrinoids.

Effects of Core Modification on Electronic Properties of para-Benziporphyrins

In contrast to the nonaromatic meta-benziporphyrins, the para-benziporphyrins possess aromatic character depending on the type of five-membered ring present in the macrocyclic core. The effects of changing the para-benziporphyrinic core from C₂N₃ to C₂NSN, C₂NSeN, and C₂NTeN by replacing the pyrrole with other five-membered heterocycles such as thiophene, selenophene, and tellurophene on aromatic properties of p-benziporphyrins are described here using spectral, electrochemical, X-ray, and density functional theory (DFT) studies. The missing core-modified p-benziporphyrins with C₂NSeN and C₂NTeN cores were synthesized by condensing 1 equiv of benzitripyrrane and 1,3-benzene-bis((4-phenyl)methanol with an appropriate diol such as 2,5-bis[(p-tolyl)hyroxymethyl]selenophene and 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tellurophene under mild acid-catalyzed conditions at room temperature and characterized in detail by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS), one- & two-dimensional NMR, and X-ray crystallography of the one of the macrocycles, Selena p-benziporphyrin. The X-ray structure of Selena p-benziporphyrin revealed that the macrocycle was almost planar apart from the p-phenylene ring, which was deviated by 49.71° from the mean plane of the macrocycle defined by four meso carbons, unlike Selena m-benziporphyrin, which is relatively more distorted. NMR studies revealed that, as the core changes from C₂N₃ to C₂NSN, C₂NSeN, and C₂NTeN, the diatropic ring current decreases, indicating that the aromatic character also decreases in the same order. X-ray structure and DFT studies also revealed that the distortion in the macrocycle increases as the pyrrole ring of p-benziporphyrin was replaced with other heterocycles such as furan, thiophene, selenophene, and tellurophene and that the tellura p-benziporphyrin was the most distorted macrocycle among core-modified p-benziporphyrins. Absorption and electrochemical properties were in agreement with these observations. Our repeated attempts on metalation of these p-benziporphyrins resulted in the successful synthesis of a Pd(II) complex of tellura p-benziporphyrin. The Pd(II) complex was characterized by HR-MS and NMR techniques, and the structure was optimized by DFT. The studies indicated that the Pd(II) ion was bonded to one of the pyrrolic nitrogens, tellurophene, tellurium, and two chloride ions in distorted square-planar geometry.

28-Hetero-2,7-Naphthiporphyrins: Horizontal Expansion of the m-Benziporphyrin Macrocycle

Replacement of the m-phenylene moiety of m-benziporphyrins with the 2,7-naphthalenyl subunit yielded 28-hetero-2,7-naphthiporphyrins-macrocycles that can be considered as expanded carbaporphyrinoids. This group retains some features of parent m-benziporphyrins, but due to larger size and different shape of the macrocyclic cavity, their coordination properties are different. Upon reduction and conformational rearrangement the 28-thia- and 28-selena-2,7-naphthiporphyrin form organophosphorus(V) complexes.

Modular Cavities: Induced Fit of Polar and Apolar Guests into Halogen-Based Receptors

Neutral triangular macrocyclic compounds, [PdX₂(4,7-phen)]₃·(DMF)₃·Et₂O (X = Cl, Br; 4,7-phen = 4,7-phenanthroline; DMF = N, N'-dimethylformamide; Et₂O = diethyl ether), were synthesized, and their molecular structures were characterized. Solution-state ¹H NMR results suggested the formation of metal-ligand bonds, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography revealed clear triangular structures. A detailed examination of the structures indicated the formation of two kinds of cavities in the solid state, where a triangular unit works as a halogen-based receptor for polar and apolar solvents through weak hydrogen-bonding and dipole-dipole interaction.

Synthesis of Tellurabenziporphyrin and Its Pd(II) Complex

An unprecedented tellurabenziporphyrin containing C, N, and Te donor atoms was synthesized by condensing benzitripyrrane and tellurophene diol under acid catalyzed conditions. The tellurabenziporphyrin readily forms a Pd(II) complex when treated with PdCl₂ in CHCl₃/CH₃CN. The crystal structures of tellurabenziporphyrin and its Pd(II) complex revealed that the benzene ring hinders the π-electron delocalization. An unusual five-membered ring formed inside the macrocycle due to the strong interaction between "Te" and "N" in the Pd(II) complex.

Rhodium-Induced Reversible C-C Bond Cleavage: Transformations of Rhodium(III) 22-Alkyl-m-benziporphyrins

The structurally prearranged carbaporphyrins 22-methyl- and 22-ethyl-m-benziporphyrins provide the platform stabilizing aromatic rhodium(III) 22-(μ-methylene-m-benziporphyrin) and rhodium(III) 22-(μ-ethylidene-m-benziporphyrin). An intramolecular conversion facilitated by the m-phenylene reactivity and observed for both aromatic complexes efficiently leads to rhodium(III) 21-(μ-methylene)-21-carbaporphyrin and rhodium(III) 21-(μ-ethylidene)-21-carbaporphyrin. The distinctive macrocyclic environment of rhodium(III) 21-carbaporphyrin created an opportunity to trap unique organometallic transformations of inner core substituents affording the fulvene-like bond pattern or the rearrangement to 21-vinyl substituent. The one-electron reduction of the rhodium(III) carbaporphyrin anion π-radical with a (d_xy )² (d_xz )² (d_yz )² -(P^.- ) electronic configuration is demonstrated. The further process of reduction of paramagnetic species triggers the ethyl migration from carbon(22) to rhodium(III), affording the diamagnetic rhodium(III) meta-benziporphyrin containing the apically coordinated σ-ethyl ligand providing an example of reversible C(sp² )-C(sp³ ) bond cleavage.

An alternative synthesis of benziporphyrins starting from isophthaloyl chloride

An alternative route to benziporphyrins has been developed. Reaction of an [Formula: see text]-unsubstituted pyrrole ethyl ester with isophthaloyl chloride in the presence of aluminum chloride afforded a diketone that underwent selective reduction with diborane to give a benzitripyrrane. Cleavage of the ethyl esters with sodium hydroxide in refluxing ethylene glycol, followed by acid catalyzed condensation with a pyrrole dialdehyde and oxidation with DDQ, generated the targeted benziporphyrin product. Spectrophotometric titration of the benziporphyrin with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) demonstrated the sequential formation of mono- and dicationic species. At lower dilutions, the free base benziporphyrin showed unusually strong [Formula: see text] coupling between two adjacent methyl substituents, indicating that the connecting unit has substantial olefinic characteristics.

Synthesis and spectroscopic behaviour of metal complexes of meso-alkylidenyl carbaporphyrinoids and their expanded analogues

Metal complexes of meso-diethyl malonylidene carbaporphyrinoids have been synthesized and fully characterized.

Core chemistry and skeletal rearrangements of porphyrinoids and metalloporphyrinoids

Porphyrin core alteration allows for the exploration of porphyrin-like or porphyrin-unlike coordination chemistry and provides an insight into reactions inside particularly shaped macrocyclic architecture including metal-mediated structural transformations.

Benziporphyrins, a unique platform for exploring the aromatic characteristics of porphyrinoid systems

Benziporphyrins and related systems exhibit a wide range of properties and may possess nonaromatic, strongly aromatic or even antiaromatic characteristics.

Relative stability of benziporphyrin and naphthiporphyrin tautomers and the emergence of macrocyclic diatropicity

The conformations and relative stabilities of a series of benziporphyrin and naphthiporphyrin tautomers were calculated and the diatropic properties of each of these species were assessed. The results were in good agreement with experimental observations and allow favorable delocalization pathways to be identified.

Low-spin organoiron(III) N-confused pyriporphyrin

Oxidation of ( PyP H) Fe II Br , an iron(II) complex of 6,11,16,21-tetraaryl-3-aza-m-benziporphyrin ( N -confused pyriporphyrin, ( PyP H) H ) has been followed, in the presence of pyridine, by 1 H and 2 H NMR spectroscopy. One-electron oxidation with dioxygen, accompanied by deprotonation of a C (22) H fragment and formation of a Fe - C (22) bond, produced a low-spin, six-coordinate iron(III) complex [( PyP ) Fe III( py )2]+ as confirmed by combination of 1 H NMR, EPR and structural data. The characteristic patterns of 1 H NMR pyrrole and meso-aryl resonances resemble features assigned to the less common, low-spin ground electronic state (( d xz d yz )4( d xy )1) of iron(III) regular porphyrins. A conformational rearrangement process has been detected which involves two structures differentiated by macrocyclic ruffling. The structure of { H [( PyP ) Fe III( py )2]2}( Fe III Br 4)3· CH 2 Cl 2 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The cationic complex involves a six-coordinate iron atom bound to the N -confused pyriporphyrin through its three nitrogens ( Fe - N (23) = 1.924(7), Fe - N (24) = 1.979(7), Fe - N (25) = 1.9343(7) Å) and the pirydyl trigonal C (22) atom ( Fe (1)- C (22) = 1.972(10) Å). The porphyrin is strongly ruffled, defining two deep grooves along C meso - C meso axes at right angles to each other. Two axial pyridine ligands are located in the prearranged equatorial ligand grooves. The iron lies in the N 3 C plane of the macrocycle defined by coordinating nitrogen and carbon atoms. In the solid, pairs of molecules are positioned along the line defined by Fe (1)- C (22) and Fe (2)- C (91) bonds. The structure demonstrates the head-to-head arrangement of two [( PyP ) Fe III( py )2]+ subunits revealing the adjacency of the two perimeter nitrogen atoms (the N (3)⋯ N (72) distance = 2.587(10) Å) linked by the N ⋯ H ⋯ N hydrogen bond.

Synthesis and characterization of iron derivatives having a pyridine-linked bis(anilide) pincer ligand

A pyridine-linked bis(aniline) pincer ligand, [2]H(2) ([2]H(2) = (2,6-NC(5)H(3)(2-(2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2))-NHC(6)H(4))(2)), has been synthesized in two steps. Deprotonation with Me(3)SiCH(2)Li followed by metalation with FeCl(2) yielded a LiCl adduct of [2]Fe. The complex is freed of LiCl with excess TlPF(6) or by crystallization from toluene/petroleum ether, giving [2]Fe(THF). [2]Fe(THF) reacts with I(2) and O(2) to generate [2]FeI and ([2]Fe)(2)O, respectively. The complexes have been characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X-ray crystallography, and UV-vis spectroscopy. [2]Fe(THF) has been examined using cyclic voltammetry.

Copper(II) and Copper(III) Complexes of Pyrrole-Appended Oxacarbaporphyrin

The reaction of an O-confused porphyrin with a pendant pyrrole 4 and copper(II) acetate yields an organocopper(III) diamagnetic complex 4-Cu(III) substituted at the C(3) position by the pyrrole and H. The transformation of 4-Cu(III), performed in aerobic conditions, gave a rare copper(II) organometallic compound 6-Cu(II). In the course of this process, the tetrahedral-trigonal rearrangement originated at the C(3) atom but effects the whole structure. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic features correspond to a copper(II) oxidation state. A crystallographic analysis of 6-Cu(II) confirmed the formation of a direct metal-C bond [Cu(II)-C 1.939(4) A]. It was found that the Cu(II) complex of O-confused oxaporphyrin is sensitive to oxidative conditions. The degradation of 6-Cu(II) to yield copper(II) tripyrrinone complexes has been observed, which was considered as a peculiar case of dioxygen activation in a porphyrin-like environment. This process is accompanied by regioselective oxygenation at the inner C to form the 2-oxa-3-(2'-pyrrolyl)-21-hydroxycarbaporphyrinatocopper(II) complex ((pyrr)OCPO)CuII (8). The reaction of 6-Cu(II) with hydrogen peroxide, performed under heterophasic conditions, resulted in quantitative regioselective hydroxylation centered at the internal C(21) atom, also producing 8. Treatment of 8 with acid results in demetalation to form the nonaromatic 21-hydroxy O-confused porphyrin derivative ((pyrr)OCPOH)H (9).

Monomeric and polymeric copper and zinc tripyrrins

Neutral transition metal complexes of different alpha,omega-dimethyltripyrrins TrpyMX with M = Cu(II) and Zn(II) have been prepared with a variety of anionic halogeno and pseudohalogeno ligands X, and have been studied with respect to coordination modes and structural distortion. Only four- and five-coordinate species have been observed throughout the series. All four-coordinate species display unstrained, but distorted tetrahedral or strained and distorted square-planar coordination environments for zinc(II) and copper(II) species, respectively, thus following the expectations from simple ligand field arguments. Five-coordinate species do not form easily and were observed either in donor solvents or in the solid as 1D coordination polymers with distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination and different topologies.

Cyanide-Promoted Demetalation of TrpyNiNCO: A Route to Sensitive Metallotripyrrins of CoII, FeII, and MnII

Etheral solutions of free base tripyrrins (HTrpy) were prepared by treatment of nickel isocyanate complexes (TrpyNiNCO) with excess cyanide. From these solutions sensitive metallotripyrrins with cobalt(II), iron(II), and manganese(II) ions (TrpyMX) and with a choice of external ligands X could be obtained in pure, crystalline form. Four cobalt and one iron chelate were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Tetracoordinate cobalt(II) species with X = I, NCO, and NCS displayed unstrained tetrahedral coordination geometries, whereas the pentacoordinate TrpyCoNO3 with the O,O-nitrato ligand narrows a trigonal bipyramidal coordination. TrpyFeNCO undergoes a redox-transformation to (TrpyFeNCO)2O upon crystallization and was structurally characterized as this with an almost linear Fe-O-Fe subunit. Donor association was studied by UV-vis spectroscopy employing different solvents and showed that TrpyMnX and TrpyFeX species are very prone to the formation of pentacoordinate species, whereas TrpyCoX compounds have an intermediate tendency to do so. Nevertheless, complex fragments of all three metal ions form 1D coordination polymers with dicyanamido ligands, which were investigated by means of IR and SQUID measurements.

Iron Complexes of C- and N-Methylated 2-Aza-21-carbaporphyrin: NMR Studies

Insertion of iron(II) into methylated derivatives of N-confused porphyrins 2-aza-2-methyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrin (MeCTPPH)H, 2-aza-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-methyl-21-carbaporphyrin (CTPPMe)H2, and 2-aza-2-methyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-methyl-21-carbaporphyrin (MeCTPPMe)H yielded N- or C-methylated high-spin iron(II) complexes (MeCTPPH)Fe(II)Br, (HCTPPMe)Fe(II)Br, and (MeCTPPMe)Fe(II)Br. One electron oxidation of (Me-CTPPH)Fe(II)Br using Br2, accompanied by deprotonation of a C(21)-H(21) fragment and formation of an Fe-C(21) bond, produces an intermediate-spin, five-coordinate iron(III) complex (MeCTPP)Fe(III)Br. Simultaneously, a high-spin complex [(MeCTPPH)Fe(III)Br]+ was formed which preserved the side-on interaction between the metal ion and the inverted pyrrole ring. &[(MeCTPPH)Fe(III)Br]+ was also obtained by titration of (MeCTPP)FeIIIBr with TFA due to the C(21) protonation. A titration of (HCTPPMe)Fe(II)Br and (MeCTPPMe)Fe(II)Br with Br2 yielded solely corresponding high-spin iron(III) species [(HCTPPMe)Fe(III)Br+ and [(MeCTPPMe)Fe(III)Br+. Dioxygen reacts cleanly with (MeCTPPH)Fe(II)Br carbaporphyrin to form solely (MeCTPP)Fe(III)Br. The 1H NMR spectra of paramagnetic iron(II) and iron(III) complexes were examined. The characteristic patterns of pyrrole, C-methyl, and N-methyl resonances were found diagnostic of the ground electronic state of iron and the coordinating nature of the N-confused pyrrole. The characteristic C-Me resonances occur in a unique window (520-420 ppm) for iron(III) C-methylated N-confused porphyrins which remains in contrast with relatively small values found for iron(II) C-methylated derivatives (50-80 ppm).

Cadmium(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes of S-Confused Thiaporphyrin

The synthesis of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-2-thia-21-carbaporphyrin [S-confused thiaporphyrin, (SCPH)H] was optimized. The formation of the phlorin was detected, which was saturated at the meso carbon adjacent to thiophene. Phlorin converted readily to (SCPH)H in the final oxidation process. Insertion of cadmium(II) and zinc(II) into S-confused thiaporphyrin yielded (SCPH)Cd(II)Cl and (SCPH)Zn(II)Cl complexes. The macrocycle acted as a monoanionic ligand. Three nitrogen atoms and the C(21)H fragment of the inverted thiophene occupied equatorial positions. The compensation of the metal charge required the apical chloride coordination. The characteristic C(21)H resonances of the inverted thiophene ring were located at 1.71 and 1.86 ppm in the 1H NMR spectra of (SCPH)Cd(II)Cl and (SCPH)Zn(II)Cl, respectively. The proximity of the thiophene fragment to the metal ion induced direct scalar couplings between the spin-active nucleus of the metal (111/113Cd) and the adjacent 1H nucleus (J(CdH) = 8.97 Hz). The interaction of the metal ion and C(21)H also was reflected by significant changes of C(21) chemical shifts: (SCPH)Zn(II)Cl, 92.9 ppm and (SCPH)Cd(II)Cl, 88.2 ppm (free ligand (SCPH)H, 123.7 ppm). The X-ray analysis performed for (SCPH)Cd(II)Cl confirmed the side-on cadmium-thiophene interaction. The Cd...C(21) distance (2.615(7) A) exceeded the typical Cd-C bond lengths, but was much shorter than the corresponding van der Waals contact. The density functional theory (DFT) was applied to model the molecular structures of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of S-confused thiaporphyrin. Subsequent AIM analysis demonstrated that the accumulation of electron density between the metal and thiophene, which is necessary to induce these couplings, was fairly small. A bond path linked the cadmium(II) ion to the proximate C(22) carbon of the thiophene.

Iron Complexes of N-Confused Pyriporphyrin: NMR Studies

Insertion of iron(II) into 6,11,16,21-tetraaryl-3-aza-m-benziporphyrin (N-confused pyriporphyrin, (PyPH)H) yielded the high-spin iron(II) complex, (PyPH)Fe(II)Br. The coordination of iron(II) to the perimeter nitrogen atom of (PyPH)Fe(II)Br resulted in the formation of the diiron species. Oxidation and oxygenation of (PyPH)Fe(II)Br were followed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The addition of Br2 to the solution of (PyPH)Fe(II)Br in the absence of dioxygen results in a one-electron oxidation yielding the high-spin iron(III) N-confused pyriporphyrin [(PyPH)Fe(III)Br]+ which preserves the side-on interaction between the inverted pyridine ring and metal ion. The reaction of (PyPH)Fe(II)Br with dioxygen ends up with the formation of a five-coordinate species (PyPO)Fe(III)Br] ((PyPOH)H = 3-aza-22-hydroxy-m-benziporphyrin, PyPO = the corresponding dianion) which is formed by oxygenation at the C(22) position. Coordination of a metal ion by 3-aza-22-hydroxy-benziporphyrin imposes a steric constraint on the geometry of the ligand. The halide ligand of (PyPO)Fe(III)Br coordinates on one of the two inequivalent faces of the macrocycle, leading to two distinct species: syn and anti. The (1)H NMR spectra of paramagnetic iron(II) and iron(III) N-confused pyriporphyrin complexes have been examined. The characteristic patterns of pyrrole and pyridine resonances have been found to be diagnostic of the ground electronic state of iron and the donor nature of the C(22)H and N(3) centers. The enormous downfield H(22) paramagnetic shift, determined for the iron(II) N-confused pyriporphyrin, provides a distinct resonance in a peculiar spectroscopic window (350-800 ppm) for a series of axial ligands which can be considered as a diagnostic sign of an agostic Fe(II)...{C(22)-H} interaction. Coordination of the pyridine moiety via the perimeter N(3) atom is reflected unambiguously by the H(2/4) resonance at 201 ppm.

Cd(II), Zn(II), and Pd(II) complexes of an isoindoline pincer ligand: consequences of steric crowding

The sterically crowded isoindoline pincer ligand, 6'-MeLH, prepared by condensation of 4-methyl-2-aminopyridine and phthalonitrile, exhibits very different reaction chemistry with Cd2+, Zn2+, and Pd2+. Three different ligand coordination modes are reported, each dependent upon choice of metal ion. This isoindoline binds to Cd2+ as a charge-neutral, zwitterionic, bidentate ligand using imine and pyridine nitrogen atoms to form the eight-coordinate fluxional complex, Cd(6'-MeLH)2(NO3)2. In the presence of Zn2+, however, loss of a pyridine arm occurs through solvolysis and tetrahedrally coordinated complexes are formed with coordination of pyrrole and pyridine nitrogen atoms. Reaction with Pd2+ produces the highly distorted, square planar complex Pd(6'-MeL)Cl in which a deprotonated isoindoline anion coordinates as a tridentate pyridinium NNC pincer ligand.