Organometallic chemistry confined within a porphyrin-like framework

Three Oxidation States of Cobalt(I/II/III) Complexes by Thiaporphyrin

Reaction of tetraphenyl-21-thiaporphyrin (HSTPP) with cobalt salt yields a pentacoordinated high-spin 3/2 [CoIICl(STTP)] (1). Through ion exchange, a roughly square-planar-geometry low-spin 1/2 CoIISTTP(BArF24) (2) complex was isolated. These two paramagnetic precursors were examined by single X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, superconducting quantum interference device, and density functional theory calculations. These two allowed the development of one electron reduction and oxidation to give [CoI(STTP)] (3), [CoIII(STTP)Cl(CH3CN)](BF4) (4), and [CoIII(STTP)Cl2] (5). The products of the chemical redox reactions were isolated and fully characterized. In addition, the reactivity of [CoIICl(STTP)] (1) was examined by azide (N3), cyanate (OCN), and thiocyanate (SCN) and featured a preferential N-coordination to the cobalt metal.

A Janus carbaporphyrin pseudo-dimer

Carbaporphyrin dimers, investigated for their distinctive electronic structures and exceptional properties, have predominantly consisted of systems containing identical subunits. This study addresses the associated knowledge gap by focusing on asymmetric carbaporphyrin dimers with Janus-like characteristics. The synthesis of a Janus-type carbaporphyrin pseudo-dimer 5 is presented. It displays antiaromatic characteristics on the fused side and nonaromatic behavior on the unfused side. A newly synthesized tetraphenylene (TPE) linked bis-dibenzihomoporphyrin 8 and a previously reported dibenzo[g,p]chrysene (DBC) linked bis-dicarbacorrole 9 were prepared as controls. Comprehensive analyses, including 1H NMR spectral studies, single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, and DFT calculations, validate the mixed character of 5. A further feature of the Janus pseudo-dimer 5 is that it may be transformed into a heterometallic complex, with one side coordinating a Cu(III) center and the other stabilizing a BODIPY complex. This disparate regiochemical reactivity underscores the potential of carbaporphyrin dimers as versatile frameworks, with electronic features and site-specific coordination chemistry controlled through asymmetry. These findings position carbaporphyrin dimers as promising candidates for advances in electronic structure studies, coordination chemistry, materials science, and beyond.

Synthesis of Pyrrole-Sharing Fused Porphyrinoid Hybrids by Post-fabrication of Ni(II) Porphyrins

Pyrrole-sharing fused hybrids of NiII porphyrin with PdII N-confused(NC)-corrole and PdII NC-oxaporphyrin were synthesized by post-fabrication of NiII porphyrins. Specifically this consists of Friedel-Crafts type aromatic substitution reaction of meso-free NiII porphyrin with α,α'-dibromotripyrrin and Pd(OAc)2 assisted cyclization, and final heating to induce a Pd-C bond formation. NiII porphyrins fused with PdII NC-corrole and with PdII NC-oxaporphyrins show coplanar structures with a shared pyrrole unit. In these hybrids, the PdII NC-oxaporphyrin is aromatic and the PdII NC-corrole is moderately antiaromatic and these local electronic properties interact to influence the whole network.

21-Carba-23-selenaporphyrinoid Dyads-An Azepine Unit as a Merging Motif

The oxidation of 10,15-diaryl-21-carba-23-selenaporphyrinoids resulted in the creation of dyads. The dimerization process follows a [5+2] cycloaddition path with the formation of an azepine unit. The arrays display two direct bonds between the peripheral carbocyclic carbon atoms of one carbaselenaporphyrinic subunit and the central carbon and nitrogen atoms of the second subunit. This results in a unique canted arrangement of two carbaporphyrinoid planes resembling an open seashell-like motif.

From Porphyrin-Like Rings to High-Density Single-Atom Catalytic Sites: Unveiling the Superiority of p-C2N for Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysis

With effective utilization of the catalytic site, single-atom catalysts (SACs) supported by nitrogen atoms surrounding built-in pores of two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as porphyrin/phthalocyanine-based covalent organic frameworks, have been highly promising electrocatalysts in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) processes for the air electrode of the metal-air battery. However, the number of stable single-atom anchoring sites, i.e., accessible single-atom metal sites, has been concerning as a result of the appearance of heterogeneous or large and even supersized pores in substrate materials. 2D porous graphitic carbon nitride (PGCN) with a stronger stability and smaller component is regarded as a more potential alternative owing to similar controllability and designability. In this work, inspired by the robust coordinated TM-N4 environment of porphyrin/phthalocyanine molecules, novel p-C2N with a high density of porphyrin-like organic units is rationally designed. In well-designed p-C2N, a higher homogeneity and uniformity of coordination sites can enhance the electrocatalytic activity in the whole catalytic material and better prevent SACs from sintering and agglomerating into thermodynamically stable nanoclusters. Utilizing density functional theory (DFT), the stability of the p-C2N monolayer, TM@p-C2N, and OER/ORR catalytic activities of TM@p-C2N (TM including Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au) are systematically evaluated. Among them, Ir@p-C2N (0.31 V of the OER and 0.36 V of the ORR), Co@p-C2N (0.47 and 0.22 V), and Rh@p-C2N (0.55 and 0.27 V) are screened as promising SACs for the bifunctional ORR and OER. The proposal of p-C2N guides a new direction for the development of TM-N-C-based SAC bifunctional electrocatalysts.

Linear Extension of Carbaporphyrin Chromophores: Synthesis, Protonation, and Metalation of Anthro[2,3-b]carbaporphyrins: Evidence for 30π-Electron Aromatic Circuits in a Palladium(II) Complex

Acid-catalyzed condensation of a naphtho[2,3-f]indane dialdehyde with a tripyrrane, followed by an oxidation step, afforded an anthro[2,3-b]-21-carbaporphyrin. The presence of a fused anthracene unit induced minor bathochromic shifts and did not significantly affect the aromatic characteristics of the carbaporphyrin core. Protonation led to the formation of a monocation with similar diatropic properties, but the dication generated in the presence of a large excess of trifluoroacetic acid had a weakened Soret band absorption and a broad absorption at 754 nm. Nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) calculations indicate that the dication is only weakly aromatic and possesses a 32-atom 30π electron delocalization pathway. Alkylation with methyl iodide and potassium carbonate gave a 22-methyl derivative that reacted with palladium(II) acetate to afford an aromatic palladium(II) complex. Upon heating, the methyl group migrated from the nitrogen to the internal carbon atom and the resulting complex exhibited diminished aromatic character. A comparison with related carbaporphyrin complexes without ring fusion or with benzo- or naphtho-fused units demonstrated that the diatropic character decreased with increasing conjugation. NICS calculations and anisotropy of induced current density (AICD) plots confirmed this trend and showed that the remaining aromatic properties of the anthrocarbaporphyrin complex were due to a 30π electron circuit that extends around the entire anthracene unit.

Complexes of N-Confused Porphyrin Derivatives as Ortho-Metallating Ligands. Synthesis, Structure, Redox Properties, and Chirality

A family of transition metal complexes of meso-aryl-2-aza-21-carbaporphyrin (N-confused porphyrin, NCP) derivatives acting as ortho-metallating ligands for ruthenium(II), rhodium(III), and iridium(III) is synthesized and characterized by XRD, spectroscopic, and electrochemical methods. The chirality of these systems is shown by the separation of the enantiomers and analyzed by circular dichroism and DFT. A preliminary catalytic study indicates the activity of the iridium(III) ortho-metallated complexes in the N-heterocyclization of primary amines with diols.

Tying a knot between crown ethers and porphyrins

Porphyrins and crown ether hybrids have emerged as a promising class of molecules composed of elements of a tetrapyrrole macrocycle and an oligo(ethylene glycol) segment. These hybrid systems constitute a broad group of compounds, including crowned porphyrins, crownphyrins, and calixpyrrole-crown ether systems forming Pacman complexes with transition metals. Their unique nature accustoms them as excellent ligands and hosts capable of binding guest molecules/ions, but also to undergo unusual transformations, such as metal-induced expansion/contraction. Depending on the design of the particular hybrid, they present unique features involving intriguing redox chemistry, interesting optical properties, and reactivity towards transition metals. In this perspective article, the overview of both the early designs of porphyrin-crown ether hybrids, as well as the most recent advances in the synthesis and characterisation of this remarkable group of macrocyclic systems, are addressed. The discussion covers the strategies employed in synthesising these systems, including cyclisation reactions, self-assembly, and their remarkable reactivity. The potential applications of porphyrin-crown ether hybrids are also highlighted. Moreover, the discussion identifies the challenges associated with synthesising and characterising hybrids, outlining the possible future directions.

Advances and prospects of porphyrin derivatives in the energy field

At present, porphyrin is developing rapidly in the fields of medicine, energy, catalysts, etc. More and more reports on its application are being published. This paper mainly takes the ingenious utilization of porphyrin derivatives in perovskite solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and lithium batteries as the background to review the design idea of functional materials based on the porphyrin structural unit in the energy sector. In addition, the modification and improvement strategies of porphyrin are presented by visually showing the molecular structures or the design synthesis routes of its functional materials. Finally, we provide some insights into the development of novel energy storage materials based on porphyrin frameworks.