Carbazole-embedded p-benziporphyrinoid: synthesis, structure and a reversible chemodosimeter for mercury(II) ions.

The first carbazole-embedded p-benziporphyrinoid is synthesized by a [3+1] acid-catalyzed condensation between appropriate coupling partners. The macrocycle 1 exhibited orange emission and showed a large Stokes shift of 5831 cm-1. Intriguingly, it shows a selective affinity towards Hg2+ ions over other metal-ions in a reversible manner. Job's plot confirmed the 1 : 1 stoichiometry with unambiguous confirmation of both 1 and 1-Hg by single crystal X-ray analysis.

Stable Inner 2H Tautomer of N-Confused-like Porphyrin Embedded with a Carbazole Subunit: Synthesis, Metal Coordination, and Magnetic and Anion Sensing Studies.

A new class of N-confused porphyrin 1 embedded with a carbazole subunit was prepared via [3 + 1] acid-catalyzed condensation of appropriate precursors. 1 underwent smooth metal complexation with Pd(II) and Cu(II) salts to provide the corresponding diamagnetic 1-Pd and paramagnetic 1-Cu, respectively. The single-crystal X-ray structure of 1-Pd is evident with a square-planar Pd-center through C-H activation of inverted pyrrole. Superconducting quantum interference device analysis combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) results provided insights into the paramagnetic nature of 1-Cu. Further, a ratiometric enhancement of near-IR fluorescence at 746 nm was found to be reversible upon adding CN- and F- ions. The solid-state structure of 1-Pd confirms that the anionic species is due to NH deprotonation.

Conformationally Locked Cyclo[2]Dipyrrins Linked with Anthracene Subunits: Synthesis and Chiroptical Properties.

Herein, we report the synthesis of anthracene-containing twisted cyclo[2]dipyrrin 1 by utilizing a non-planar building block, 1,5-dipyrrylanthracene (1,5-DPA). The non-planar nature of the macrocycle enhanced the solubility and helped in structural characterization. Macrocycle 1 adopts a twisted 'figure of eight' conformation stabilized by strong intramolecular H-bonding interactions and exists as a pair of helical enantiomers, as revealed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. More importantly, the sterically locked structure enabled facile optical resolution using chiral HPLC. The (P,P) and (M,M) enantiomers show moderate chiroptical properties, such as absorption dissymmetry factors |gabs | in the order of 10-3 , and luminescence dissymmetry factors |glum | of 3.8×10-3 and 2.9×10-3 at 702 nm, respectively.

Synthetic Model for FRET Constructed from Covalently Linked Porphyrin Dimers through a Pyrene Bridge.

We report the synthesis and characterization of two porphyrin arrays C6F5-PyZnDP and Mes-PyZnDP covalently linked by a pyrene moiety which differs from their substituents at their meso-positions. The key precursor bis-dipyrromethane linked with a pyrene bridge was prepared by the acid-catalyzed condensation of pyrene-1,6-dialdehyde with excess pyrrole. The synthesis of C6F5-PyZnDP was carried out via two different synthetic routes, with one being efficient over the other. Therefore, the superior route was employed for the synthesis of C6F5-PyZnDP and Mes-PyZnDP. Both the free base and metalated diporphyrins show bathochromically shifted absorption and intense red emission due to the extended π-conjugation through pyrene and porphyrins. The single-crystal X-ray structure reveals an orthogonal orientation of pyrene in between the two planar porphyrins and a slipped stacked packing arrangement in the crystal structure with large meso-meso distances. DFT analysis of both the ground state and the excited S1 state of the macrocycles indicates the difference in the HOMO and LUMO contribution in both the states arising from slight twisting from the mean orthogonal position in the excited state. Further, the Förster energy transfer (FRET) efficiencies from pyrene (donor) to the covalently linked Zn-porphyrins (acceptor) are estimated to be 85 and 91% for Mes-PyZnDP and C6F5-PyZnDP, respectively.

Synthesis, Structure, and Optical Properties of a Bis-Macrocycle Derived from a Highly Emissive 1,3,6,8-Tetra(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyrene.

A tetra-functionalized pyrene precursor 4b is prepared using the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of 1,3,6,8-tetrabromopyrene with N-Boc-2-pyrroleboronic acid. 4b displayed a blue emission with a high quantum yield (ϕF = 0.89). 4b is subjected to [3 + 2] Lewis acid-catalyzed condensation with 2,2'-bithiophene-dialcohol 5, affording a planar bis-N2S2 internally linked with pyrene. The single-crystal X-ray structure of bis-N2S2 revealed a planar conformation with all of the pyrrolic nitrogens and thiophenic sulfurs pointing toward the macrocyclic core. Further, the reduction of bis-N2S2 was attempted in the presence of Zn/NH4Cl at room temperature in CHCl3. A sharp color change from pink to brown was observed presumably due to the formation of its reduced congener bis-N2S2-2H. However, the reduced species was found to revert back to its oxidized form over a period of 25 min in CHCl3. Density functional theory (DFT) studies reveal that the two monocyclic halves of bis-N2S2-2H exhibit differences in aromaticity depending on amino and imino pyrroles present inside each individual core. Such a conversion was also monitored by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectral studies, and the exact composition of bis-N2S2-2H was confirmed by High-resolution/mass spectrometry (HR/MS) analysis. Experimental and theoretical studies reveal a weak aromatic character of bis-N2S2 due to the absence of global conjugation.

Conformationally Distinct [26]Heterorubyrin(1.1.0.1.1.0) Macrocycles and Their Bis-BODIPYs: Synthesis, Structure, and Optical Properties.

Two conformationally different [26]rubyrin(1.1.0.1.1.0) macrocycles with varying heteroatoms (S/O) and their bis-BODIPYs are reported. The solid-state structure confirms O2N4 with fairly planar pyrrole-inverted conformation, whereas a thiophene-inverted structure for S2N4 is observed. Such conformational differences can also be clearly realized from their spectral and optical features. Upon BF2 complexation, both rubyrins led to their respective bis-BODIPYs where S2N4-BOD displayed a perfectly planar conformation as evident from its X-ray structure.

Disruption of Antiaromaticity in Structurally Related Expanded Porphyrin-like Macrocycles with Benzene Linkers.

1,4-Phenylene-linked cyclotrimer (3T) and cyclotetramer (4T) have been synthesized via Lewis acid-catalyzed self-condensation of appropriate precursors. Structural and Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies reveal the disruption of annulenic conjugation in both 3T and 4T by linking phenylene rings prevented them from global antiaromaticity. The single crystal X-ray structure of 4T reveals all the nitrogens are pointing toward the macrocyclic core with near-planar and square-shaped geometry, thus in sharp contrast to the ring-strained conformation of 3T.

Planar hexaphyrin-like macrocycles turning into bis-BODIPYs with box-shaped structures exhibiting excitonic coupling.

Planar carbazole based hexaphyrin-like macrocycles with bis-coordinating cores and box-shaped cyclic BODIPYs were synthesized. Solution and solid-state structure analysis of the free macrocycles indicates an inversion of two pyrrole rings, resulting in a two-dipyrrin-like environment. The BF2 complexes show large Stokes shifts and exhibit excitonic coupling, fine-tuned by the meso-substituents.

Double intramolecular hydrogen transfer assisted dual emission in a carbazole-embedded porphyrin-like macrocycle.

The introduction of a pyrrole ring at one of the meso positions of carbazole-based porphyrins lowers the structural symmetry and results in dual emission, which strongly depends on the excitation wavelength and temperature. The origin of dual emission induced by NH-tautomerism is confirmed via photophysical and DFT calculations.

DMSO as a Methine Source in TFA-Mediated One-Pot Tandem Regioselective Synthesis of 3-Substituted-1-Aryl-1H-Pyrazolo-[3,4-b]quinolines from Anilines and Pyrazolones.

An acid-mediated and DMSO participant one-pot tandem synthesis of 3-substituted-1-aryl-1H-pyrazolo-[3,4- b]quinoline from readily available anilines and pyrazolones was achieved. This method enables regioselective construction of the valuable heterocycles under transition-metal and oxidant-free conditions in which DMSO acts as a methine source as well as solvent making this process an environmentally benign approach. A broad range of diversely substituted aryl amines and pyrazolines are successfully employed in this reaction to access a series of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolones through a novel cascade mechanism. Furthermore, the application and mechanistic studies of the present methodology also demonstrated.

Synthesis, Structure, and Optical Properties of Di-m-benzihexaphyrins (1.1.0.0.0.0) and Di-m-benziheptaphyrins (1.0.1.0.0.0.0): Blackening of m-Phenylene-Linked Dicarbaporphyrinoids by Simple π-Expansion.

Acid-catalyzed condensation of a newly prepared di-m-benzipentapyrrane with appropriate mono- and diheterocyclic dialcohols selectively produced stable di-m-benzihexaphyrins and di-m-benziheptaphyrins with only two meso-carbon bridges. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal planar conformation with slight distortion of bridged phenylene rings. Despite the presence of m-phenylene units interrupting the global delocalization, the presence of bithiophene units in di-m-benziheptaphyrins 3a-b exhibits altered optical features covering the entire visible region (ca. 250-720 nm), exhibiting a black dye property as a "metal-free" porphyrinoid.

Carbazole-Based Porphyrins: Synthesis, Structure-Photophysical Property Correlations, and Mercury Ion Sensing.

The synthesis of a new class of carbazole based macrocycles via [3 + 1] acid-catalyzed condensation is reported. Spectroscopic investigations and computational studies imply that these macrocycles have a large influence on the electronic structure in comparison to previously reported carbazole based macrocycles. Macrocycle 8 bearing a furan ring reversibly binds aqueous Hg2+ with high affinity over other Mn+ ions. The limit of detection (LOD) is ca. 100 nM. Hg2+ binding was confirmed via X-ray diffraction analysis.

Synthesis of a Black Dye with Absorption Capabilities Across the Visible-to-Near-Infrared Region: A MO-Mixing Approach via Heterometal Coordination of Expanded Porphyrinoid.

An expanded metalloporphyrin-based "black dye" Au-Pd oxohexaphyrin (AuPd-1) with absorption capabilities across the visible-to-near-infrared (NIR) range was synthesized. This black dye, AuPd-1, possessed efficient light-harvesting and photostable capabilities, which were indicative of superior photothermal (PT) conversion abilities. Encapsulation of AuPd-1 with a micellar nanocapsule resulted in a compound that demonstrated intense photoacoustic (PA) properties in the NIR region in water. This finding indicated how metal (d)-ligand (π) molecular orbital interactions in metalloporphyrins could aid in the design of visible-to-NIR light-harvesting black dyes for PT and PA applications.

Planar Antiaromatic Core-Modified 24π Hexaphyrin(1.0.1.0.1.0) and 32π Octaphyrin(1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0) Bearing Alternate Hybrid Diheterole Units.

The Lewis acid catalyzed self-condensation of hybrid diheterole (furan-pyrrole and thiophene-pyrrole) precursors has afforded novel Hückel antiaromatic 24π hexaphyrin(1.0.1.0.1.0) and 32π octaphyrin(1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0) structures without ß-annulated bridges. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the hybrid porphyrinoids (S3 N3 -ox and O4 N4 -ox) revealed a nearly planar conformation and the 1 H NMR spectra suggest the presence of paratropic ring currents. These antiaromatic macrocycles show characteristic optical features and underwent reversible two-electron reduction to Hückel aromatic 26π- and 34π-electron species, respectively, as is evident from the results of spectroscopic and theoretical studies (nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) and anisotropy of the current-induced density (ACID) calculations). The incorporation of hybrid diheteroles alternately into expanded porphyrin skeletons provides a novel approach to the fine-tuning of the electronic structures of planar antiaromatic macrocycles.

Visible-Light Driven Photocascade Catalysis: Union of N,N-Dimethylanilines and α-Azidochalcones in Flow Microreactors.

N,N-Dimethylanilines were coupled with α-azidochalcones using visible-light driven Ru(bpy)3(PF6)2 catalyzed photocascade continuous flow microfluidic approach that involves the creation of one C-C and two C-N new bonds. The reaction involves dual photocatalysis ensuing two sp3 C-H bond functionalization of N,N-dimethylanilines. To explore the scope of the reaction, 20 different 1,3-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes were synthesized in good yields (55-71%).

Unprecedented Charge-Transfer Complex of Fused Diporphyrin as Near-Infrared Absorption-Induced High-Aspect-Ratio Nanorods.

Charge-transfer (CT) complexes of near-infrared absorbing systems have been unknown until now. Consequently, structural similarities between donor and acceptor are rather important to achieve this phenomenon. Herein, we report electron donors such as non-fused diporphyrin-anthracene (DP), zinc diporphyrin-anthracene (ZnDP) and fused zinc diporphyrin-anthracene (FZnDP) in which FZnDP absorbs in NIR region and permits a CT complex with the electron acceptor, perylene diimide (PDI) in CHCl3 exclusively. UV/Vis-NIR absorption, 1 H NMR, NOESY and powder X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that the CT complex formation occurs by π-π stacking between perylene units in FZnDP and PDI upon mixing together in a 1:1 molar concentration in CHCl3 , unlike non-fused ZnDP and DP. TEM and AFM images revealed that the CT complex initially forms nanospheres leading to nanorods by diffusion of CH3 OH vapors into the CHCl3 solution of FZnDP/PDI (1:1 molar ratio). Therefore, these CT nanorods could lead to significant advances in optical, biological and ferroelectric applications.

Ultrafast Photoinduced Charge Separation Leading to High-Energy Radical Ion-Pairs in Directly Linked Corrole-C60 and Triphenylamine-Corrole-C60 Donor-Acceptor Conjugates.

Closely positioned donor-acceptor pairs facilitate electron- and energy-transfer events, relevant to light energy conversion. Here, a triad system TPACor-C60 , possessing a free-base corrole as central unit that linked the energy donor triphenylamine (TPA) at the meso position and an electron acceptor fullerene (C60) at the ß-pyrrole position was newly synthesized, as were the component dyads TPA-Cor and Cor-C60. Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and DFT studies confirmed the molecular integrity and existence of a moderate level of intramolecular interactions between the components. Steady-state fluorescence studies showed efficient energy transfer from (1) TPA* to the corrole and subsequent electron transfer from (1) corrole* to fullerene. Further studies involving femtosecond and nanosecond laser flash photolysis confirmed electron transfer to be the quenching mechanism of corrole emission, in which the electron-transfer products, the corrole radical cation (Cor(⋅+) in Cor-C60 and TPA-Cor(⋅+) in TPACor-C60) and fullerene radical anion (C60(⋅-)), could be spectrally characterized. Owing to the close proximity of the donor and acceptor entities in the dyad and triad, the rate of charge separation, kCS , was found to be about 10(11)  s(-1), suggesting the occurrence of an ultrafast charge-separation process. Interestingly, although an order of magnitude slower than kCS , the rate of charge recombination, kCR , was also found to be rapid (kCR ≈10(10)  s(-1)), and both processes followed the solvent polarity trend DMF>benzonitrile>THF>toluene. The charge-separated species relaxed directly to the ground state in polar solvents while in toluene, formation of (3) corrole* was observed, thus implying that the energy of the charge-separated state in a nonpolar solvent is higher than the energy of (3) corrole* being about 1.52 eV. That is, ultrafast formation of a high-energy charge-separated state in toluene has been achieved in these closely spaced corrole-fullerene donor-acceptor conjugates.

Synthesis, structure and photophysical properties of ferrocenyl or mixed sandwich cobaltocenyl ester linked meso-tetratolylporphyrin dyads.

We report here the design and synthesis of porphyrin-metallocene dyads consisting of a metallocene [either ferrocene or mixed sandwich η(5)-[C5H4(COOH)]Co(η(4)-C4Ph4) connected via an ester linkage at meso phenyl position of either free-base or zinc porphyrin. All these dyad systems were characterized by various spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. A dimeric form of this molecule was observed in the X-ray crystal structure of Zn-TTPCo. The absorption spectra of all four dyads indicated the absence of electronic interactions between porphyrin macrocycle and metallocene in the ground state. However, interestingly, in all four dyads, fluorescence emission of the porphyrin was quenched (19-55%) as compared to their monomeric units. The quenching was more pronounced in ferrocene derivatives rather than cobaltocenyl derivatives. The emission quenching can be attributed to the excited-state intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer from metallocene to singlet excited state of porphyrin and the electron-transfer rates (k(ET)) were established in the range 1.51 × 10(8) to 1.11 × 10(9) s(-1). They were found to be solvent dependent.

Confusion of Möbius aromaticity: disruption of annulenic pathway in singly N-confused [28]hexaphyrin and its mono-Pd(II) complex.

Singly N-confused [26] and [28]hexaphyrins (4, 5) with planar and twisted structures, respectively, were prepared via the acid catalyzed [3 + 3] condensation of N-confused and regular tripyrrane precursors. Hückel aromaticity is observed for [26]hexaphyrin, while the [28]hexaphyrin and its mono-Pd(II) complex exhibit "nonaromaticity" in spite of their Möbius-type structures, judging from the spectroscopic features and theoretical calculations.