Synthesis of metal-free tetraazaisobacteriochlorin and via template condensation of phthalogenes

The indium(III) complexes of (4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-substituted tetraazaisobacteriochlorin (TAiBC) and tetraazachlorin (TAC) were synthesized by direct template condensation of bis(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)fumaronitrile and tetramethylsuccinonitrile using indium(III) ion as a matrix. The corresponding metal-free tetraazaisobacteriochlorin and tetraazachlorin were obtained by demetallation of their indium(III) complexes. These metal-free complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, mass-spectrometry, 1H and [Formula: see text]C{1H}NMR spectroscopy, UV-vis and MCD spectroscopy as well as DFT and TD-DFT calculations. Due to the low symmetry of the molecules, the NMR data were complex, but could be assigned by collecting 1D- and 2D NMR data and comparing with the results of quantum chemical calculations. From the position of the pyrrole proton signal (6.78 ppm), it was found that the diatropic current of TAiBC is much weaker than that of TAC, and plausibly the weakest among porphyrinoids so far reported. Absorption and MCD spectra were reasonably interpreted using the calculated absorption spectra.

Photochemical properties of substituted tetraazachlorins

The photochemical properties of water-insoluble metal-free tetraazachlorin derivatives in organic solvents and aqueous micellar solutions of nonionic surfactants were investigated. The quantum yields of fluorescence, singlet oxygen generation and photodegradation were evaluated in benzene. The highest photostability and singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ = 0.7) was found for 2,2,3,3-tetramethyl-7,8,12,13,17,18-hexaphenyltetraazachlorin. The moderate ΦΔ values (0.21–0.35) of triarenotetraazachlorins in benzene were established. Expansion of tetraazachlorin π-system by fusion of three aromatic rings leads to reduction of efficiency of singlet oxygen generation. The study of photodegradation mechanism shows that radical photooxidation apparently is most plausible, though 1 O 2 may partly contribute to photodestruction of some tetraazachlorins. In aqueous colloidal solution of nonionic surfactant (Cremophor EL) the same, as in benzene, effect of sensitizer structure upon efficacy of singlet oxygen production was observed. It was shown that 1 O 2 diffusion from micelle core into solution and then to target slows its oxidation rate substantially in comparison to the case where sensitizer and target are localized in the same micelle.