Improved Protocols for the Synthesis and Halogenation of Sterically Hindered Metalloporphyrins

Nonplanar porphyrins: synthesis, properties, and unique functionalities

Porphyrins are variously substituted tetrapyrrolic macrocycles, with wide-ranging biological and chemical applications derived from metal chelation in the core and the 18π aromatic surface. Under suitable conditions, the porphyrin framework can deform significantly from regular planar shape, owing to steric overload on the porphyrin periphery or steric repulsion in the core, among other structure modulation strategies. Adopting this nonplanar porphyrin architecture allows guest molecules to interact directly with an exposed core, with guest-responsive and photoactive electronic states of the porphyrin allowing energy, information, atom and electron transfer within and between these species. This functionality can be incorporated and tuned by decoration of functional groups and electronic modifications, with individual deformation profiles adapted to specific key sensing and catalysis applications. Nonplanar porphyrins are assisting breakthroughs in molecular recognition, organo- and photoredox catalysis; simultaneously bio-inspired and distinctly synthetic, these molecules offer a new dimension in shape-responsive host-guest chemistry. In this review, we have summarized the synthetic methods and design aspects of nonplanar porphyrin formation, key properties, structure and functionality of the nonplanar aromatic framework, and the scope and utility of this emerging class towards outstanding scientific, industrial and environmental issues.

Bromination of tetrapyrrolic scaffolds: a sustainable approach

A sustainable procedure developed for the bromination of organic substrates, such as olefins and small aromatic rings, has been applied to porphyrin derivatives.

Pitfalls in bromination reactions of zinc porphyrins: two-sided ring opening of the porphyrin macrocycle

Reaction of [Zn(II)(TTP)] (1) (TTP = dianion of 5,10,15,20-meso-tetrakis(p-tolyl)porphyrin) with 16 equiv of N-bromosuccinamide (NBS) in methanol at reflux led to the unexpected two-sidedd open-ring brominated product [Zn(II)(C26H20N2O2Br5)2] (2). Similar observations have been made with other meso-substituted zinc porphyrins as well [Zn(II)(por)] {por = dianion of 5,10,15,20-meso-tetrakis(aryl)porphyrin; aryl = phenyl (TPP), p-(t)Bu-phenyl (TBPP), m-Cl-phenyl (TClPP)}. The respective products [Zn(II)(C24H16N2O2Br5)2] (3), [Zn(II)(C32H32N2O2Br5)2] (4), and [Zn(II)(C24H14N2O2Cl2Br5)2] (5) have been isolated in good to moderate yields and characterized by elemental analysis and UV-vis, (1)H NMR, and mass spectrometry. Additional bromination reaction of 1 with 8 equiv of NBS in a chloroform/methanol mixture led (after the two-sided ring opening) to nonmetalated brominated bi(pyrrole) product, C36H34N2O4Br4 (6). The detailed structures of complexes 1, 2, 3, and 6, available in a single crystal form, have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Nitrothienylporphyrins: Synthesis, crystal structure and, the effect of position and number of nitro groups on the spectral and electrochemical properties

This article describes the investigation on the effect of orientation of the meso thienyl groups of porphyrins in deciding the site of nitration. The thienyl rings present at the meso position is found to be more susceptible for electrophilic nitration reaction than the pyrrole β-position in the molecules where there is a better conjugation between the thienyl rings and the porphyrin π-system. Signal corresponding to the imino hydrogens in the proton NMR spectrum of meso nitrothienylporphyrins get shifted to upfield with increase in the number of nitro groups on the porphyrin. This is also due to the extended conjugation of the porphyrins π-system with the meso thienyl rings. The above observations are also supported by the redox potentials of those compounds.

Mixed substituted porphyrins: structural and electrochemical redox properties

To examine the influence of mixed substituents on the structural, electrochemical redox behavior of porphyrins, two new classes of beta-pyrrole mixed substituted free-base tetraphenylporphyrins H2(TPP(Ph)4X4) (X = CH3, H, Br, Cl, CN) and H2(TPP(CH3)4X4) (X = H, Ph, Br, CN) and their metal (M = Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II)) complexes have been synthesized effectively using the modified Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. Optical absorption spectra of these porphyrins showed significant red-shift with the variation of X in H2(TPPR4X4), and they induce a 20-30 nm shift in the B band and a 25-100 nm shift in the longest wavelength band [Q(x)(0,0)] relative to the corresponding H2TPPR4 (R = CH3, Ph) derivatives. Crystal structure of a highly sterically crowded Cu(TPP(Ph)4(CH3)4).2CHCl3 complex shows a combination of ruffling and saddling of the porphyrin core while the Zn(TPP(Ph)4Br4(CH3OH)).CH3OH structure exhibits predominantly saddling of the macrocycle. Further, the six-coordinated Ni(TPP(Ph)4(CN)4(Py)2).2(Py) structure shows nearly planar geometry of the porphyrin ring with the expansion of the core. Electrochemical redox behavior of the MTPPR4X4 compounds exhibit dramatic cathodic shift in first ring oxidation potentials (300-500 mV) while the reduction potentials are marginally cathodic in contrast to their corresponding MTPPX4 (X = Br, CN) derivatives. The redox potentials were analyzed using Hammett plots, and the highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) gap decreases with an increase in the Hammett parameter of the substituents. Electronic absorption spectral bands of H2TPPR4X4 are unique that their energy lies intermediate to their corresponding data for the H2(TPPX8) (X = CH3, Ph, Br, Cl) derivatives. The dramatic variation in redox potentials and large red-shift in the absorption bands in mixed substituted porphyrins have been explained on the basis of the nonplanarity of the macrocycle and substituent effects.

Electron transfer in natural and unnatural flavoporphyrins

The development of chemical models for enzymes and their chemical and physical studies constitutes an important area of research from a scientific as well as an industrial point of view. Covalently linked flavin and porphyrin (flavoporphyrins) have attracted attention due to their applications as chemical models for flavoproteins and related enzymes. In this review, the literature has been surveyed to provide a comprehensive coverage of the synthetic methodology and characterization techniques of various types of synthetic flavoporphyrins.

Comparative study of structure-properties relationship for novel beta-halogenated lanthanide porphyrins and their nickel and free bases precursors, as a function of number and nature of halogens atoms

The synthetic route of partially beta-halogenated via a "metal-assisted" reaction and perhalogenated terbium complexes is described. This protocol allows the facile insertion of the halogens (bromines or chlorides) to the porphyrin peripheral positions. The electronic absorption spectra and the redox potentials of the free porphyrins as well as the terbium complexes are dramatically affected as the number of halogen atoms increase. In fact, two antagonistic effects are responsible for that, the inductive and the distortion effects on the porphyrin ring. They result in a red shift for the Soret band and a stabilization/destabilization of the HOMOs/LUMOs which in turn is manifested by variations on the redox potentials. The novel crystal structure of the Ni(Cl(8)TPP) is discussed in great detail and compared with the previously reported structures of Tb(Cl(8)TPP) (OAc)(DMSO)(2) x 3PhCH(3) x MeOH and H(2)(Br(8)TPP), as well as with other perhalogenated nickel porphyrins available in the literature.