Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with Externally Appended Pyridine Rings. 3. A New Highly Electron-Deficient Octacationic Macrocycle: Tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di{2-(N-methyl)pyridiniumyl}pyrazino]porphyrazine, [(2-Mepy)8TPyzPzH2]8+

Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Mononuclear Complexes and Tendency to Undergo Dehydrogenation of the Multiple N-Donor Ligand Di-(2-pyridyl)dihydropyrazine

The already known di(2-pyridyl)dihydropyrazine (dhdpp) was prepared and isolated also in the form of a bis-hydrated species, i.e., dhdpp·2H₂O. As established by X-ray work, a small amount of single crystals of di(2-pyridyl)-pyrazine (dpp) was also obtained from the mother liquors, this testifying the possibility of a dehydrogenation process dhdpp → dpp in the absence of a catalyst. Using dhdpp as a ligand, mononuclear metal derivatives of formula [(dhdpp)MCl₂]·xH₂O (M = Pd^II, Pt^II) were obtained as stable-to-air solids, studied by X-ray powder, IR, UV-visible, and ¹H NMR spectra, and proved to exhibit a N₂MCl₂ coordination site involving one pyridine and one pyrazine N atom ("py-pyz" coordination). An interesting relationship has been established in terms of the observed types of coordination with the analogs of di(2-pyridyl)-pyrazine (dpp) formulated as [(dpp)MCl₂]·3H₂O, proved also by ¹H NMR spectra to exhibit the "py-pyz" mode of coordination. Attempts to isolate from the reaction of dhdpp with Pd(OAc)₂ the corresponding mononuclear derivatives were shown to lead, as definitely supported by ¹H NMR spectral data and crystallographic work, to the exclusive formation of the corresponding dpp complex [(dpp)Pd(OAc)₂]·5H₂O ("py-pyz" coordination site), this proving the tendency of dhdpp to generate dpp under different reaction conditions. The promoted conversion of dhdpp into dpp in the complex was examined by sequential NMR analysis and established to be determined by Pd(OAc)₂ which plays the role of catalyst. The new salt-like species [(CH₃)(dhdpp)PdI₂](I)·7H₂O, prepared starting from [(dhdpp)PdCl₂] in its reaction with CH₃I, allowed the separation from the mother liquors of small brown crystals identified on the basis of X-ray analysis as the already known complex of formula [(dpp)PdI₂] ("py-py" coordination), this result once again outlining the tendency of dhdpp to be dehydrogenated to dpp.

OFF-ON-OFF Red-Emitting Fluorescent Indicators for a Narrow pH Window

A unique combination of two independent mechanisms of fluorescence quenching, namely intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) from a peripheral donor and protonation of azomethine nitrogen atoms in zinc tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines (TPyzPz), provides a new possibility for sensing pH in a specific range. The pH selectivity was controlled by the different basicities of the donor for ICT (dimethylaminoaryl), which was connected to the macrocycle by π-extended linkers of different lengths. ICT and protonation have been studied in detail by photophysical, spectral (UV/Vis and MCD spectra), and electrochemical measurements, and further supported by theoretical calculations (DFT, TDDFT). The pH-sensing properties of the TPyzPzs have been investigated in THF and in water after anchoring the TPyzPzs to liposomes. The salient pK_a values were around 1.3 (azomethine nitrogen) and 2.29-4.76 (donor for ICT). The lead indicators (sensing over a pH range of 1.0-2.5) with fairly steep sensing profiles exhibited increases in fluorescence between the OFF/ON states of more than 20-fold and strong absorption in the red region (Q-band maximum >650 nm, ϵ≈2×10⁶  m^-1  cm^-1 ).

Systematic investigation of phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines, and their aza-analogues. Effect of the isosteric aza-replacement in the core

A series of zinc complexes of phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines and their aza-analogs was studied and compared using UV-vis and MCD spectra, molecular calculations, and photophysical and electrochemical measurements.

Fluorescent cyclodextrin carriers for a water soluble ZnII pyrazinoporphyrazine octacation with photosensitizer potential

Novel, negatively charged, fluorescent cyclodextrin oligomers form highly stable complexes with a water soluble, octacationic porphyrazine photosensitizer in dimeric form.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings: 11 Photoactivity of a new Pt(II) pentanuclear macrocycle bearing four cisplatin-like functionalities and its related monoplatinated species

The pentanuclear PtII porphyrazine compound [(PtCl2)4LPt] (L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato dianion), the mononuclear species [LPt] and the octacation [L′Pt]8+ (neutralized by I- ions; L′ = L octaquaternized at the pyridine N atoms) were synthesized and characterized by IR/UV-visible spectral measurements. 1H and 13C NMR spectral data on [(PtCl2)4 LPt] indicate that the four PtCl2 units are coordinated at the pyridine N atoms of the peripheral dipyridinopyrazine fragments ("py–py" coordination) and the largely prevalent conformational arrangement of the entire macrocycle, established to have the external N2(py)PtCl2 coordination sites all oriented on the same side with respect to the plane of the central porphyrazine framework, closely recalls that which was previously defined for the related PdII analog [(PdCl2)4LPd] . The currently investigated triad of PtII macrocycles, like the related PdII species, behave as photosensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen, the cytotoxic agent active in photodynamic therapy (PDT). A bimodal anticancer potentiality is expressed by the pentaplatinated compound, [(PtCl2)4LPt] , which represents an unprecedented example of a multifunctional drug due to the presence of four contiguous cisplatin-like functionalities.

Protonation and deprotonation of nitrogens in tetrapyrazino-porphyrazine macrocycles

Acid-base properties of zinc phthalocyanine (Pc) and zinc and metal-free tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine (TPPz) macrocycles with eight peripheral tert-butylsulfanyl or diethylamino substituents are investigated in this work by means of UV-vis spectroscopy. The Pc and TPPz are protonated on the azomethine nitrogens in acidic media. The monoprotonated form was found using trifluoroacetic acid and lower amounts of H 2 SO 4. The higher concentrations of sulfuric acid lead to the appearance of the diprotonated form, and possibly also the triprotonated form in the case of Pc. It was found that the pyrazine nitrogens in the TPPz macrocycle undergo protonation at approx. 20-30% of sulfuric acid in THF solution. TPPz with diethylamino peripheral substituents are protonated preferably on these peripheral tertiary amines. Metal-free TPPz can readily lose the hydrogens on central nitrogens in strong basic media (e.g. tetrabutylammonium hydroxide) to directly form a dianion, with no presence of important or detectable amounts of the monoanion species. A different form of deprotonated macrocycle was observed in pyridine suggesting the formation of only a proton transfer complex, not a true ionic form. The acidity of the central nitrogens is dependent on the strength of the electron-donating effect of peripheral substituents. TPPz with tert-butylsulfanyl substituents is a stronger acid than the one with diethylamino substituents.

Cationic Zn and Al phthalocyanines: synthesis, spectroscopy and photosensitizing properties

Several Zn (II) and Al (III) phthalocyanines bearing eight or sixteen positive charges on substituents of different structure have been prepared. Synthesized polycationic phthalocyanines have been studied in aqueous and alcoholic media by UV-vis spectroscopy and tested for their efficacy in singlet oxygen photosensitization. It has been found that a minor structural modification at the periphery of the photosensitizer allows control over its key features such as singlet oxygen generation due to specific intermolecular interactions in solution. The efficacy of polycationic phthalocyanines to sensitize tryptophan photobleaching in aqueous media and inactivation of bacteria in sewage water is also structure-dependent. Among the complexes studied, two dyes - zinc octakis(pyridiniomethyl)- and octakis[ N -(2-hydroxyethyl)- N , N -dimethylammoniomethyl]substituted phthalocyanines - are the best sensitizers and have high potential for photodynamic applications.

Porphyrazines: Designer Macrocycles by Peripheral Substituent Change

It is rare that such a diverse array of applications can be realized from a single basic molecular unit, however, such is the power of the tetrapyrrolic macrocycle motif. Indeed, their potential in areas such as chemical dyes, optical sensors, optoelectronics, and biomedical agents is a function of their rich electronic and optical properties. While the naturally occurring porphyrins and the synthetic phthalocyanines have been extensively studied, the related tetraazaporphyrins or porphyrazines remain comparatively underdeveloped. Since porphyrazines maintain a unique position in this family: analogous derivatives are virtually inaccessible for the porphyrins, and direct fusion of heteroatomic substituents onto the porphyrazine β-positions results in a more pronounced effect compared with the substitution of an equivalent group onto the benzenoid rings of the phthalocyanine; a driving force exists to further explore the synthesis and applications of these novel macrocycles. This review will provide a historical overview of the synthetic strategies towards functionalized porphyrazines and describe new strategies towards the preparation and applications of heteroatom-appended porphyrazines, particularly in the context of their multimetallic complexes, catalysis, surface chemistry, and as biomedical agents.

Tetrakis(thiadiazole)porphyrazines. 5. Electrochemical and DFT/TDDFT studies of the free-base macrocycle and its MgII, ZnII, and CuII complexes

The redox properties of the phthalocyanine-like tetrakis(thiadiazole)porphyrazines, [TTDPzM] (M = MgII(H2O), ZnII, CuII, 2HI), were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and their ground- and excited-state electronic properties were studied in detail by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) methods. Bulk and specific (axial ligation) solvent effects on the molecular and electronic structure were also taken into account. The title compounds show stepwise reversible ligand-centered one-electron reductions in the range 0 to -2.0 V vs SCE, with E1/2 values being systematically less negative than corresponding reduction potentials for the same processes of the phthalocyanine (Pc) analogues. No electroxidations were observed at positive potentials. The observed redox behavior is rationalized on the basis of the ground-state electronic structures which reveal that replacement of the benzo rings of the Pc macrocycle by electron-withdrawing thiadiazole rings induces a large stabilization of both the HOMO and LUMOs in the investigated macrocycles. An excellent correlation is found between the first one-electron reduction potentials and the gas-phase LUMO energies along the series. The same sequence in the first reduction potentials is theoretically reproduced in pyridine, even if the ZnII and MgII complexes are assumed to be in the axially ligated form, [TTDPzM(py)]. TDDFT calculations of the lowest excited states of the ZnII, MgII, and CuII complexes in pyridine provide an accurate description of their UV-visible spectra. The calculated optical spectra for the free-base macrocycle in chlorobenzene and pyridine confirm previous data in that the thiadiazoleporphyrazine [TTDPzH2] is mostly present in pyridine in its deprotonated form [TTDPz]2-. DFT results, in keeping with electrochemical data, indicate, however, that in pyridine it is the neutral species [TTDPzH2] being reduced instead of its deprotonated form [TTDPz]2-.

Excited State Dynamics and Nonlinear Absorption of a Pyrazinoporphyrazine Macrocycle Carrying Externally Appended Pyridine Rings

The multiphoton absorption properties of the tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato(monoacquo)-Mg(II) complex [Py(8)TPyzPzMg(H(2)O)] (1) are reported and interpreted. The nonlinear optical behavior of 1 and the characterization of the excited states important for the nonlinear absorption process were studied at the pump frequency of the second harmonic generation of a Nd:YAG laser in the nanosecond time regime. It was found that complex 1 shows a very good optical limiting performance at 532 nm, which derives from two processes: (a) a reverse-saturable absorption process, which involves a triplet excited state at low intensities, and (b) a two-photon absorption process at higher intensities, which is due to the formation of the radical monoanion of 1, [Py(8)TPyzPzMg(H2O)](.-), during the photoreduction of the triplet state. The participation of a monoanion in determining the overall nonlinear absorption behavior of 1 is found, for the first time, for a tetrapyrrolic system. One can deduce that the involvement of the monoanion derives from the electron-withdrawing effect of the dipyridinopyrazino fragments externally attached to the porphyrazine core which make the reduced form of 1 easily accessible. These results suggest a modification of tetrapyrrolic systems with new nonlinear absorption properties.