Vacuum-tight thin-layer spectroelectrochemical cell with a doublet platinum gauze working electrode

Bidimensional Spectroelectrochemistry with Tunable Thin-Layer Thickness

Bidimensional spectroelectrochemistry (Bidim-SEC) is an instrumental technique that provides operando UV/vis absorption information on electrochemical processes from two different points of view, using concomitantly a parallel and a normal optical configuration. The parallel configuration provides information about chemical species present in the diffusion layer, meanwhile the normal arrangement supplies information about changes occurring both in the diffusion layer and, mainly, on the electrode surface. The choice of a suitable cell to perform Bidim-SEC experiments is critical, especially while working under a thin-layer regime. So far, most of the proposed Bidim-SEC cells rely on the use of spacers to define the thin-layer thickness, which leads to working with constant thickness values. Herein, we propose a novel Bidim-SEC cell that enables easy-to-use micrometric control of the thin-layer thickness using a piezoelectric positioner. This device can be used for the study of complex interfacial systems and also to easily measure the key parameters of an electrochemical process. As a proof of concept, the study of the roughening of a gold electrode in KCl medium is performed, identifying key steps in the passivation and nanoparticle generation on the gold surface.

Effects of coordinating heteroatoms on molecular structure, thermodynamic stability and redox behavior of uranyl(vi) complexes with pentadentate Schiff-base ligands

Uranyl(vi) complexes with pentadentate N₃O₂-, N₂O₃- and N₂O₂S₁-donating Schiff base ligands, tBu,MeO–saldien–X²⁻ (X = NH, O and S), were synthesized and thoroughly characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, elemental analysis, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures of UO₂(tBu,MeO–saldien–X) showed that the U–X bond strength follows U–O ≈ U–NH > U–S. Conditional stability constants (β_X) of UO₂(tBu,MeO–saldien–X) in ethanol were investigated to understand the effect of X on thermodynamic stability. The log β_X decrease in the order of UO₂(tBu,MeO–saldien–NH) (log β_NH = 10) > UO₂(tBu,MeO–saldien–O) (log β_O = 7.24) > UO₂(tBu,MeO–saldien–S) (log β_S = 5.2). This trend cannot be explained only by Pearson's Hard and Soft Acids and Bases (HSAB) principle, but rather follows the order of basicity of X. Theoretical calculations of UO₂(tBu,MeO–saldien–X) suggested that the ionic character of U–X bonds decreases in the order of U–NH > U–O > U–S, while the covalency increases in the order U–O < U–NH < U–S. Redox potentials of all UO₂(tBu,MeO–saldien–X) in DMSO were similar to each other regardless of the difference in X. Spectroelectrochemical measurements and DFT calculations revealed that the center U⁶⁺ of each UO₂(tBu,MeO–saldien–X) undergoes one-electron reduction to afford the corresponding uranyl(v) complex. Consequently, the difference in X of UO₂(tBu,MeO–saldien–X) affects the coordination of tBu,MeO–saldien–X²⁻ with UO₂²⁺. However, the HSAB principle is not always prominent, but the Lewis basicity and balance between ionic and covalent characters of the U–X interactions are more relevant to determine the bond strengths.

The U–X bond strength and thermodynamic stability of uranyl(vi) complexes with pentadentate N₂O₂X₁-donating ligands (X = NH, O, S) are affected by the difference in X. In contrast, the X atom does not largely affect the redox behavior of the complexes.

Effects of Substituents on the Molecular Structure and Redox Behavior of Uranyl(V/VI) Complexes with N3O2-Donating Schiff Base Ligands

Uranyl(VI) complexes with pentadentate N₃O₂-donating Schiff base ligands having various substituents at the ortho (R₁) and/or para (R₂) positions on phenolate moieties, R₁,R₂-^Mesaldien^2-, were synthesized and thoroughly characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Molecular structures of UO₂(R₁,R₂-^Mesaldien) are more or less affected by the electron-donating or -withdrawing nature of the substituents. The redox behavior of all UO₂(R₁,R₂-^Mesaldien) complexes was investigated to understand how substituents introduced onto the ligand affect the redox behavior of these uranyl(VI) complexes. As a result, the redox potentials of UO₂(R₁,R₂-^Mesaldien) in dimethyl sulfoxide increased from -1.590 to -1.213 V with an increase in the electron-withdrawing nature of the substituents at the R₁ and R₂ positions. The spectroelectrochemical measurements and theoretical calculation [density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations] revealed that the center U⁶⁺ of each UO₂(R₁,R₂-^Mesaldien) complex undergoes one-electron reduction to afford the corresponding uranyl(V) complex, [UO₂(R₁,R₂-^Mesaldien)]^-, regardless of the difference in the substituents. Consequently, the redox active center of uranyl(VI) complexes seems not to be governed by the redox potentials but to be determined by whether the LUMO is centered on a U 5f orbital or on one π* orbital of a surrounding ligand.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 16. A rare class of uncharged water soluble complexes: UV-vis spectral, redox, and photochemical properties

The synthesis and physicochemical characterization of a new class of water soluble homo/heteropentanuclear porphyrazine complexes are described. The investigated compounds, prepared from the previously reported mononuclear species [ LM ]⋅x H 2 O (L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl) pyrazino]porphyrazinato dianion; M = MgII ( H 2 O ), ZnII , CuII , CoII , PdII , PtII ; x = 3–8) in DMSO under mild experimental conditions, are represented as [{ Pd ( OAc )2}4 LM ]⋅x H 2 O (x = 11–22) and bear four Pd ( OAc )2 units, each externally coordinated at the vicinal pyridine N atoms of a single dipyridinopyrazine fragment of the porphyrazine macrocycle (py–py coordination). The newly synthesized compounds were examined by IR and magnetic susceptibility measurements in the solid state. Solution UV-visible spectral studies on all of the species were conducted in the low-donor organic solvents pyridine, dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide and in the water medium, whereas electrochemical measurements were performed in these media in the presence of tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (organic solvents) and KCl or NaOAc (water). Data on the photosensitizing activity for the generation of singlet oxygen, 1 O 2, of interest in photodynamic therapy, were also obtained in dimethylformammide solution on the compounds [{ Pd ( OAc )2}4 LM ]( M = MgII ( H 2 O ), ZnII , PdII , PtII ) and the measured ΦΔ values are presented and discussed. NMR spectral data on the complex [{ Pd ( OAc )2}4 LZn ] are also included and discussed.

Effect of axial ligands on the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of diruthenium compounds

Three related diruthenium complexes containing four symmetrical anionic bridging ligands were synthesized and characterized as to their electrochemical and spectroscopic properties. The examined compounds are represented as Ru2(dpb)4Cl, Ru2(dpb)4(CO), and Ru2(dpb)4(NO) in the solid state, where dpb = diphenylbenzamidinate anion. Different forms of Ru2(dpb)4Cl are observed in solution depending on the utilized solvent and the counteranion added to solution. Each Ru2(5+) form of the compound undergoes multiple redox processes involving the dimetal unit. The reversibility as well as potentials of these diruthenium-centered electrode reactions depends upon the solvent and the bound axial ligand. The Ru2(5+/4+) and Ru2(5+/6+) processes of Ru2(dpb)4Cl were monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy in both CH2Cl2 and PhCN. A conversion of Ru2(dpb)4Cl to [Ru2(dpb)4(CO)](+) was also carried out by simply bubbling CO gas through a CH2Cl2 solution of Ru2(dpb)4Cl at room temperature. The chemically generated [Ru2(dpb)4(CO)](+) complex undergoes several electron transfer processes in CH2Cl2 containing 0.1 M TBAClO4 under a CO atmosphere, and the same reactions were seen for a chemically synthesized sample of Ru2(dpf)4(CO) in CH2Cl2, 0.1 M TBAClO4 under a N2 atmosphere, where dpf = N,N'-diphenylformamidinate anion. Ru2(dpb)4(NO) undergoes two successive one-electron reductions and a single one-electron oxidation, all of which involve the diruthenium unit. The CO and NO adducts of Ru2(dpb)4 were further characterized by FTIR spectroelectrochemistry, and the IR spectral data of these compounds are discussed in light of results for previously characterized Ru2(dpf)4(CO) and Ru2(dpf)4(NO) derivatives under similar solution conditions.

Synthesis, electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry and catalytic properties in DDT reductive dechlorinationin of iron(II) phthalocyanine, 2,3- and 3,4-tetrapyridinoporphyrazine complexes

Iron(II) 2,3- and 3,4-tetrapyridinoporphyrazine complexes (2,3-PyD and 3,4-PyD) were synthesized and characterized as to their electrochemistry, UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry and catalytic properties towards the reductive dechlorination of 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (p,p′-DDT) in pyridine, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N,N′-dimethylacetamide (DMA) and N,N′-dimethylformamide (DMF). These properties were compared with those of the unsubstituted iron(II) phthalocyanine ((Pc) Fe ). Electrochemistry indicates that there are up to three reductions and one oxidation in the three investigated derivatives. The easiest reduction takes place for 3,4-PyD while the most difficult one occurs for (Pc) Fe in all of the solvents investigated. The first reduction is metal-centered corresponding to the formation of [P(-2)Fe(I)]- while the second and third reductions are ring-centered leading stepwise to the generation of [P(-3)Fe(I)]2- · and [P(-4)Fe(I)]3- , where P = phthalocyanine or tetrapyridinoporphyrazine rings. Aggregation exists in the solutions of all three iron complexes and its extent depends upon the nature and concentration of the iron compounds and the binding property of each solvent. The order of the extent of aggregation for the three iron derivatives is 3,4-PyD > 2,3-PyD > (Pc) Fe . Stronger binding solvents such as pyridine and DMSO do not favor the aggregation. The singly and doubly reduced species of investigated complexes, [P(-2)Fe(I)]- and [P(-3)Fe(I)]2- · , are active in DDT reductive dechlorination, the latter of which has better catalytic performance. As a result, three products, 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane (p,p′-DDD), 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE), and 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroethylene (p,p′-DDMU), were obtained after the dechlorination of DDT catalyzed by each iron complex. The increasing order of catalytic performance is 3,4-PyD < 2,3-PyD < (Pc) Fe in pyridine, which is superior to DMSO and DMA for the DDT dechlorination reaction. An overall electrocatalytic mechanism is proposed for DDT reductive degradation based on the electrochemical and UV-visible spectroelectrochemical results.

Synthesis, structure, and electrochemical characterization of a mixed-ligand diruthenium(III,II) complex with an unusual arrangement of the bridging ligands

A mixed-ligand metal-metal bonded diruthenium complex having the formula Ru(2)(2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)ap)(3)(O(2)CCH(3))Cl where ap is the anilinopyridinate anion was synthesized from the reaction of Ru(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4)Cl and H(2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)ap), after which the isolated product was structurally, spectroscopically and electrochemically characterized. The crystal structure reveals an unusual arrangement of the bridging ligands around the dimetal unit where one ruthenium atom is coordinated to one anilino and two pyridyl nitrogen atoms while the other ruthenium atom is coordinated to one pyridyl and two anilino nitrogen atoms. To our knowledge, Ru(2)(2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)ap)(3)(O(2)CCH(3))Cl is the only example of a mixed-ligand diruthenium complex of the type [Ru(2)L(3)(O(2)CCH(3))](+), where L is an unsymmetrical anionic bridging ligand that has been structurally characterized with a "(2,1)" geometric conformation of the bridging ligands, all others being "(3,0)". The initial Ru(2)(5+) compound in CH(2)Cl(2) or CH(3)CN containing 0.1 M tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) undergoes up to four one-electron redox processes involving the dimetal unit. The Ru(2)(5+/4+) and Ru(2)(5+/6+) processes were characterized under N(2) using thin-layer UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry and this data is compared to UV-visible spectral changes obtained during similar electrode reactions for related diruthenium compounds having the formula Ru(2)L(4)Cl or Ru(2)L(3)(O(2)CCH(3))Cl where L is an anionic bridging ligand. Ru(2)(2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)ap)(3)(O(2)CCH(3))Cl was also examined by UV-visible and FTIR spectroelectrochemistry under a CO atmosphere and two singly reduced Ru(2)(4+) species, [Ru(2)(2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)ap)(3)(O(2)CCH(3))(CO)Cl](-) and Ru(2)(2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)ap)(3)(O(2)CCH(3))(CO) were in situ generated for further characterization. The CO-bound complexes could be further reduced and exhibited additional reductions to their Ru(2)(3+) and Ru(2)(2+) oxidation states.

β-Nitro-5,10,15-tritolylcorroles

Functionalization of the β-pyrrolic positions of the corrole macrocycle with -NO(2) groups is limited at present to metallocorrolates due to the instability exhibited by corrole free bases under oxidizing conditions. A careful choice of the oxidant can limit the transformation of corroles into decomposition products or isocorrole species, preserving the corrole aromaticity, and thus allowing the insertion of nitro groups onto the corrole framework. Here we report results obtained by reacting 5,10,15-tritolylcorrole (TTCorrH(3)) with the AgNO(2)/NaNO(2) system, to give mono- and dinitrocorrole derivatives when stoichiometry is carefully controlled. Reactions were found to be regioselective, affording the 3-NO(2)TTCorrH(3) and 3,17-(NO(2))(2)TTCorrH(3) isomers as the main products in the case of mono- and disubstitution, in 53 and 20% yields, respectively. In both cases, traces of other mono- and disubstituted isomers were detected, which were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The influence of the β-nitro substituents on the corrole properties is studied in detail by UV-visible, electrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical characterization of these functionalized corroles. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations of the ground and excited state properties of these β-nitrocorrole derivatives also afforded significant information, closely matching the experimental observations. It is found that the β-NO(2) substituents conjugate with the π-aromatic system of the macrocycle, which initiates significant changes in both the spectroscopic and redox properties of the so functionalized corroles. This effect is more pronounced when the nitro group is introduced at the 2-position, because in this case the conjugation is, for steric reasons, more efficient than in the 3-nitro isomer.

Electrochemical and in situ spectroelectrochemical behavior of 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octakis(hexyl-thio) tetraazaporphyrin (H2OHTTAP) and [Zn(II)OHTTAP]

The characterization of free base porphyrin 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octakis(hexyl-thio) tetraazaporphyrin (H2OHTTAP) and its zinc(II) complexes [ Zn (II)OHTTAP] containing eight thioether groups at the β-pyrrole positions of the macrocycle was reported. Results obtained by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry indicated a five-electron reduction in five steps for each complex. They were oxidized in two single-electron-transfer steps to yield π-cation radicals and dications and reduced in three single-electron-transfer steps to yield π-anion radicals, dianions and trianions, respectively. The redox property of H2OHTTAP was unusual as compared to porphyrins (PPs) and phthalocyanines (Pcs). Each process was monitored by in situ thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry, which indicated that only the ligand was electroactive. The existence of the eight hexylthio groups was responsible for the intrastack interactions and enhanced intracolumnar and intercolumnar electron motions, resulting in improved conductivity.

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemistry of bismuth porphyrins: X-ray crystal structure of (OEP)Bi(SO3CF3)

The metalation of several free base porphyrins by the bismuth salts Bi(NO3)3 and Bi(SO3CF3)3 in DMF or pyridine is described. The resulting stable Bi(III) porphyrin complexes are characterized by electrochemistry, 1H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. The structure of ( OEP ) Bi ( SO 3 CF 3) was also determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and shows that ( OEP ) Bi ( SO 3 CF 3) exists as a dimer which is stabilized by electrostatic interactions in which the two [(OEP)Bi]+ cations are linked via oxygen atoms of two symmetrically related [Formula: see text] anions, leading to a heptacoordinated bismuth center. Electrochemical oxidation of ( OEP ) Bi ( SO 3 CF 3) and ( T p TP ) Bi ( SO3CF3 ) shows that only the porphyrin macrocycles are oxidized.

Electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry and catalytic activity of biscobalt bisporphyrin dyads towards dioxygen reduction

Three face-to-face biscobalt bisporphyrin dyads, including one incorporating a copper(II) ion inside the linker, were synthesized and characterized both spectroscopically and electrochemically in three non-aqueous solvents, dichloromethane, benzonitrile and pyridine. The electrocatalytic reduction of dioxygen with these derivatives on an electrode surface in 1.0 M HClO4 was also investigated and the results are compared to that obtained with "regular" Pacman biscobalt bisporphyrins under the same experimental conditions. Surprisingly, the tris-metal species ( Cu-bisCo ) catalyzes the reduction of O2 mainly via a 2e- transfer process, leading to H2O2 , while the bis-metal (bisCo) catalyst produces H2O via a four electron, four proton process.

Electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and ESR spectroscopic characterization of 2,3- and 3,4-cobalt tetrapyridoporphyrazine isomers in non-aqueous media

Two cobalt porphyrazines, 2,3-tetrapyridoporphyrazine and 3,4-tetrapyridoporphyrazine, were examined in N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and pyridine solutions as to their electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and ESR spectroscopic properties. These results were compared with those of the unsubstituted cobalt phthalocyanine. At high concentrations, aggregation was observed for each investigated compound in the three solvents. The intensity of ESR signals of each derivative depends upon the extent of aggregation in its solution. The g values shift towards high field with an increase in the strength of the axial ligand and the number of axial ligands on the cobalt center. Both tetrapyridoporphyrazine complexes undergo one oxidation and three reductions in N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide or pyridine solution. Thin-layer UV-visible spectroelectrochemical results confirmed that the first oxidation and first reduction of both compounds are metal-centered while the second and third reductions are ring-centered. An overall electron transfer mechanism for both porphyrazine derivatives is proposed.

Synthesis and electrochemical investigation of covalently linked porphyrin dimers containing a β-brominated subunit

Ten meso-tetraphenylporphyrin-type heterodimers containing a partly or completely β-brominated subunit were synthesized and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry, showing the presence of low electronic interactions between the two subunits. The investigated compounds are represented as M [( tripp - tpp ( Br 4)] M and M [ tripp - tpp ( Br 8)] M ( M = 2 H , Zn , Ni , Co and Cu ) where tripp - tpp ( Br 4) is the tetraanion of 1-[5-(10,15,20-triphenylporphyrinyl)]-4-[10-(2,3,12,13-tetrabromoporphyrinyl)]-benzene and tripp - tpp ( Br 8) is the tetraanion of 1-[5-(10,15,20-triphenylporphyrinyl)]-4-[10-(2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octabromoporphyrinyl)]-benzene. One of the synthesized dimers, H 2[ tripp - tpp ( Br 8)] H 2, was characterized by a single-crystal X-ray investigation.

Electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of bismanganese biscorroles dyads

Three manganese biscorrole dyads were synthesized, physicochemically characterized and investigated as to their electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry in nonaqueous media. Each dyad contained the same two corroles linked in a face-to-face arrangement via one of the three different linking groups, 9,9-dimethylxanthene, anthracene or diphenylether, the exact nature of which determined the distance and possible interaction between the two metallomacrocycles. The initial compounds contained Mn ( III ) in their air stable form and were shown to exhibit two major redox processes, one being a Mn (III)/ Mn (IV) conversion and the other being either Mn ( III )/ Mn ( II ) or reduction at the conjugated macrocycle to give a Mn ( III ) corrole π-anion radical when the solvent was pyridine. The potentials and reversibility of each electron transfer reaction were shown to depend upon the solvent (pyridine, CH2Cl2 , or PhCN ), type of spacer separating the two macrocycles and/or the presence or absence of axial ligation. The site of each electron transfer was assigned on the basis of spectroscopic and electrochemical data and by comparison with reactions and properties of the monocorrole ( Mes2PhCor)Mn which was characterized in a previous publication and also examined in the current study under the same solution conditions as the newly investigated dyads. Some electrode reactions of the dyads were followed by coupled chemical reactions and these were also elucidated in the present study.

Electrochemical and spectroscopic investigation of neutral, oxidized and reduced double-decker lutetium(III) phthalocyanines

The double-decker lutetium(III) phthalocyanine [( C 6 H 13 S )8 Pc ]2 Lu was investigated by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods and comparisons made to previously investigated [( C 12 H 25 S )4 Pc ]2 Lu and ( Pc )2 Lu under the some experimental conditions. All three compounds undergo a single reversible one-electron oxidation and up to four reversible one-electron reductions in CH 2 Cl 2 containing 0.1 M tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP). The octa- and tetra substituted phthalocyanine derivatives exhibit one oxidation and three or four reductions in solution while five reductions can be detected for the two compounds in a gel-like cast film membrane of tetraoctylphosphonium bromide (4 C 8 P + Br −) at a basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode which was immersed in aqueous 0.5 M KCl . The half-wave potentials of these SR substituted complexes in CH 2 Cl 2 are negatively shifted by 210-490 mV from E1/2 values for the same compounds in the aqueous 4 C 8P+ Br − matrix and five reductions of these compounds are observed under the latter experimental conditions. The UV-visible spectra of the compounds were measured in five different oxidation states and ESR spectra were also characterized for the neutral and doubly reduced complexes. As was expected, [( Pc )2 Lu ]−,{[( C 6 H 13 S )8 Pc ]2 Lu }− and {[( C 12 H 25 S )4 Pc ]2 Lu }− are ESR silent while electrogenerated [( Pc )2 Lu ]2−, {[( C 6 H 13 S )8 Pc ]2 Lu }2− and {[( C 12 H 25 S )4 Pc ]2 Lu }2− show broad strong signals at g = 2.0046, 2.0041 and 2.0034 with linewidths of 13.9, 16.1 and 12.9, respectively. These signals are indicative of organic free radicals where the unpaired electrons of the dianion are delocalized over two macrocycles.

Manganese(III) and manganese(IV) corroles: synthesis, spectroscopic, electrochemical and X-ray structural characterization

The synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and electrochemistry of four Mn(III) and Mn(IV) octaethylcorroles are reported and the potentials of the Mn(III) / Mn(IV) and Mn(IV) / Mn(III) processes examined as a function of the axial ligand. The investigated compounds are represented as ( OEC ) Mn , ( OEC ) MnCl , ( OEC ) Mn ( py ) and ( OEC ) Mn ( C 6 H 5) where OEC is the trianion of octaethylcorrole. The first one-electron oxidation of ( OEC ) Mn III and ( OEC ) Mn III ( py ) in PhCN or pyridine containing 0.1 M TBAP leads to the facile formation of a Mn(IV) species while the first one-electron reduction of ( OEC ) Mn IV Cl and ( OEC ) Mn IV ( C 6 H 5) in the same two solvents leads to the Mn(III) corrole. All other redox reactions occur at the corrole macrocycle to give π-cation radicals or π-anion radicals and there is no evidence for electrogeneration of a compound with a Mn(II) oxidation state as is the case for manganese(III) porphyrins which are all easily reduced to the Mn(II) state in nonaqueous media. The products of each Mn(III)/Mn(IV) redox reaction were characterized by UV-visible and/or ESR spectroscopy and the structures of ( OEC ) MnCl , ( OEC ) Mn ( py ) and ( OEC ) Mn ( C 6 H 5) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Electrochemistry and spectral characterization of arsenic porphyrins with σ-bonded axial ligands: X-ray crystallographic analysis of [(OEP)As(F)2]+PF6−, [(OEP)As(CH3)(OCH3)]+ClO4− and [(OEP)As(C2H5)2]+PF6−

The electrochemistry of nine arsenic(V) octaethylporphyrins is reported in benzonitrile or dichloromethane containing 0.1 M tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte and the results compared to data for phosphorus and antimony porphyrins containing a similar set of σ-bonded and/or anionic axial ligands. The investigated compounds are divided into three groups based on the nature of the axial ligands and are represented as [( OEP ) As ( R )( R ')]+ (group I), [( OEP ) As ( R )( X )]+ (group II) and [( OEP ) As ( F )2]+ (group III) where R and R’ = CH 3 or C 2 H 5, X = OH −, OCH 3−, OC 2 H 5−, OC 3 H 7− or NHC 4 H 9− and OEP = the dianion of octaethylporphyrin. Each compound was characterized in its neutral, oxidized and reduced form by UV-visible and ESR spectroscopy. An X-ray crystallographic analysis of [( OEP ) As ( F )2]+ PF 6−, [( OEP ) As ( CH 3)( OCH 3)]+ ClO 4− and [( OEP ) As ( C 2 H 5)2]+ PF 6− is also presented.

The voltammetric study of the reduction of tetraalkylammonium perchlorate by Fe(TPP)2−

Tetraalkylammonium ions react with Fe ( TPP )2− to form Fe ( TPP )( R )− and trialkylamine. The tetrabutylammonium cation was verified to be the source of the alkyl group in the product, Fe ( TPP )( R )−, by using (1 H 5 C 2)3(2 H 5 C 2) N − as the cation and 2 H NMR. The reaction of Fe ( TPP )2− with Bu 4 N − was monitored by cyclic voltammetry and thin layer spectroelectrochemistry. The activation parameters were measured, and were most consistent with an electron transfer (ET) mechanism. The rate of the reaction of tetramethyl and tetraethylammonium ions with Fe ( TPP )2− was also examined. The rate constant decreased significantly as the carbon chain length decreased, which was also consistent with an ET mechanism.

Synthesis, photophysical, electrochemical, tumor-imaging, and phototherapeutic properties of purpurinimide-N-substituted cyanine dyes joined with variable lengths of linkers

Purpurinimide methyl esters, bearing variable lengths of N-substitutions, were conjugated individually to a cyanine dye with a carboxylic acid functionality. The results obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies showed a significant impact of the linkers joining the phototherapeutic and fluorescence imaging moieties. The photosensitizer-fluorophore conjugate with a PEG linker showed the highest uptake in the liver, whereas the conjugate linked with two carbon units showed excellent tumor-imaging and PDT efficacy at 24 h postinjection. Whole body imaging and biodistribution studies at variable time points portrayed enhanced fluorescent uptake of the conjugates in the tumor compared to that in the skin. Interestingly, the conjugate with the shortest linker and the one joining with two carbon units showed faster clearance from normal organs, e.g., the liver, kidney, spleen, and lung, compared to that in tumors. Both imaging and PDT efficacy of the conjugates were performed in BALB/c mice bearing Colon26 tumors. Compared to the others, the short linker conjugate showed poor tumor fluorescent properties and as a corollary does not exhibit the dual functionality of the photosensitizer-fluorophore conjugate. For this reason, it was not evaluated for in vivo PDT efficacy. However, in Colon26 tumor cells (in vitro), the short linker was highly effective. Among the conjugates with variable linkers, the rate of energy transfer from the purpurinimide moiety to the cyanine moiety increased with deceasing linker length, as examined by femtosecond laser flash photolysis measurements. No electron transfer from the purpurinimide moiety to the singlet excited state of the cyanine moiety or from the singlet excited state of the cyanine moiety to the purpurinimide moiety occurred as indicated by a comparison of transient absorption spectra with spectra of the one-electron oxidized and one-electron reduced species of the conjugate obtained by spectroelectrochemical measurements.

6-Azahemiporphycene: a new member of the porphyrinoid family

The reaction of 5,10,15-triarylcorrole with 4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole provides another example of corrole ring expansion to give the corresponding 6-azahemiporphycene, a novel porphyrin analogue. The facile oxidation of the corrole ring is a required step for the ring expansion and for this reason the reaction fails in the case of corroles bearing meso-phenyl groups carrying electron-withdrawing substituents. Steric requirements also limited the scope of the reaction, which is not successful in the case of 2,6-disubstituted meso-aryl corroles. The occurrence of an initial oxidation is further supported by formation of the 6-azahemiporphycene derivative when the reaction is carried out under the same conditions, using a 5- or a 10-isocorrole as starting material. (1)H NMR spectra and X-ray crystal characterization of 6-azahemiporphycene evidenced the presence of an intramolecular N-H...N hydrogen bond in the inner core of the macrocycle, while photophysical characterization confirmed the aromatic character of the novel macrocycle, showing an intense Soret-like band around 410 nm in the absorption spectrum. The fluorescence emission is very modest, and 6-azahemiporphycene showed higher photostability than the corresponding corrole species. Different metal complexes of 6-azahemiporphycene were prepared following synthetic protocols usually exploited for the preparation of metalloporphyrins, demonstrating good coordination properties for the macrocycle. Both the free-base and metal derivatives were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry in dichloromethane and benzonitrile. To further detail the behavior of this novel macrocycle, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out on the basic structure of 6-azahemiporphycene with the aim of assessing aromaticity and tautomerism, as well as calculating its stability with respect to the 5-aza isomer.

Demetalation of silver(III) corrolates

Several procedures for the demetalation of silver(III) corrolates have been tested. Acidic conditions induce removal of the silver ion but they can also promote concomitant oxidation of the corrole nucleus to an isocorrole species, the degree of which will depend upon the specific acidic media. This oxidation cannot be completely avoided by addition of hydrazine, particularly in the case of 3-NO(2) substituted complexes which are quantitatively converted into the corresponding 3-NO(2), 5-hydroxy isocorroles upon silver ion removal. Several beta-nitro isocorrole products were isolated, and one was structurally characterized. Electrochemical and chemical reductive methods for silver(III) corrolates demetalation were then tested with the aim to avoid the formation of isocorroles. While reaction with sodium borohydride was shown to be quite effective to demetalate unsubstituted silver corrolates this was not the case for the beta-nitro derivatives where the peripheral nitro group is reduced by borohydride giving the corresponding 3-amino free base corrole species. For the beta-nitro corrole silver complexes, a successful approach was obtained using DBU/THF solutions which afforded the 3-NO(2) corrole free-base compound as a single reaction product in good yield. These conditions were also effective for unsubstituted corroles although longer reaction times were necessary in this case. To study in greater detail the corrole demetalation behavior, selected Ag(III) derivatives were characterized by cyclic voltammetry in pyridine, and the demetalation products spectrally characterized after controlled potential reduction in a thin-layer spectroelectrochemical cell.

Synthesis and spectroelectrochemistry of N-cobaltacarborane porphyrin conjugates

N-Substituted porphyrins are well-known for the distortion they exhibit of the porphyrin plane through the sp(3) hybridization of one of the pyrrolenic units. They have served as model compounds in investigations of many biochemical processes. In this paper, we developed an efficient route to N-substituted porphyrins, and report the synthesis of a series of new N-substituted cobaltacarborane-porphyrins containing one or two cobaltabisdicarbollide anions linked by (CH(2)CH(2)O)(2) chains to either the core porphyrin nitrogens or to a meso-aminophenyl group. These conjugates show different degrees of distortion of the porphyrin macrocycle, which affect their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties. In particular, the core N-substituted conjugates show significant fluorescence quenching in comparison with the noncore substituted macrocycles. The X-ray structures of two targeted core N-cobaltacarborane porphyrin conjugates are presented. The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of these porphyrin conjugates were investigated; while the peripheral N-substituted cobaltacarboranylporphyrins undergo three reversible reductions and three reversible oxidations (two attributed to the porphyrin and one to the Co(III) cluster), the core N-substituted porphyrins exhibit complicated electrochemical behavior with coupled chemical reactions.

Synthesis and cyclic voltammetric studies of diiron complexes, ER(2)[(eta-C(5)H(4))Fe(L(2))Me](2) (E = C, Si, Ge, Sn; R = H, alkyl; L(2) = diphosphine] and (eta-C(5)H(5))Fe(L(2))ER(2)Fc [Fc = (eta-C(5)H(4))Fe(eta-C(5)H(5))]

The cyclic voltammetric studies on ER(2)[(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))Fe(L(2))Me](2) (L(2) = dppe; ER(2) = CH(2) (1a), SiMe(2) (2a), GeMe(2) (3a), SnMe(2) (4a) revealed two well resolved reversible waves [(1)E(1/2) = -0.33 V, (2)E(1/2) = -0.20 V (for 1a); (1)E(1/2) = -0.35 V, (2)E(1/2) = -0.21 V (for 2a);(1)E(1/2) = -0.36 V, (2)E(1/2) = -0.23 V (for 3a);(1)E(1/2) = -0.36 V, (2)E(1/2) = -0.22 V (for 4a)] in CH(2)Cl(2) suggesting electronic communication between two iron centers which is seen for the first time in this family of organometallic complexes. The resolution between two reversible waves increases in the order of 1a < 2a < 3a < 4a; however, coordinating solvents such as pyridine, PhCN, DMSO and DMF decreased these interactions attributable to the stabilization of cationic species formed after the first oxidation. UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry of 1a-4a revealed two distinct absorbance patterns for both redox processes and reflected the stepwise oxidation. Homobimetallic complexes containing ferrocenyl groups, (eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Fe(L(2))ER(2)Fc [ER(2) = none, L(2) = cis-dppen (5a), ER(2) = SiMe(2), L(2) = cis-dppen (6a), dppm (6b); ER(2) = GeMe(2), L(2) = cis-dppen (7a), dppm (7b); ER(2) = Sn(t)Bu(2), L(2) = dmpe (8a); Fc = (eta(5)-C(5)H(4))Fe(eta(5)4-C(5)H(5))] were prepared and studied in terms of electrochemistry. The cyclic voltammogram of 5a exhibited two well resolved one electron reversible waves at (1)E(1/2) = -0.21 V and (2)E(1/2) = 0.58 V corresponding to oxidation of the Fe(P-P) and Fc iron atoms respectively. Other complexes in this series (6a/6b, 7a/7b, 8a) containing direct Fe-E-Fc (E = Si, Ge and Sn) bridging units were not stable under electrochemical conditions and rupture of the Fe-E bonds was observed.

Solvent, anion, and structural effects on the redox potentials and UV-visible spectral properties of mononuclear manganese corroles

A series of manganese(III) corroles were investigated as to their electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry in nonaqueous solvents. Up to three oxidations and one reduction were obtained for each complex depending on the solvents. The main compound discussed in this paper is the meso-substituted manganese corrole, (Mes 2PhCor)Mn, and the main points are how changes in axially coordinated anion and solvent will affect the redox potentials and UV-vis spectra of each electrogenerated species in oxidation states of Mn(III), Mn(IV), or Mn(II). The anions OAc (-), Cl (-), CN (-), and SCN (-) were found to form five-coordinate complexes with the neutral Mn(III) corrole while two OH (-) or F (-) anions were shown to bind axially in a stepwise addition to give the five- and six-coordinate complexes in nonaqueous media. In each case, complexation with one or two anionic axial ligands led to an easier oxidation and a harder reduction as compared to the uncomplexed four-coordinate species.