Synthesis, structure, electrochemistry, and spectroelectrochemistry of hypervalent phosphorus(V) octaethylporphyrins and theoretical analysis of the nature of the PO bond in P(OEP)(CH(2)CH(3))(O)

Advances and opportunities in Group 15 porphyrin chemistry

The chemistry of Group 15 porphyrins has been established relatively well among the main-group porphyrins. Thus far phosphorus(III), phosphorus(V), arsenic(III), arsenic(V), antimony(III), antimony(V), and bismuth(III) porphyrins have been reported. Their unique axial-bonding ability, rich redox, and optical properties offer an advantage over other main-group or transition metal porphyrins. They could be excellent candidates for a variety of applications such as solar energy harvesting, molecular electronics, molecular catalysis, and biomedical applications. Despite these unique properties, the Group 15 porphyrins are not exploited at their fullest capacity. Recently, there has been some interest, where the richness of Group 15 porphyrin chemistry was explored for some of the above applications. In this context, this article summarizes recent advances in Group 15 porphyrin chemistry and attempts to unravel the tremendous opportunities of these remarkable porphyrins.

Hypervalent Phosphorus(V) Porphyrins with meso-Methoxyphenyl Substituents: Significance of the Number and Position of Methoxy Groups in Promoting Intramolecular Charge Transfer

To study the photophysical and redox properties as a function of meso-aryl units, a series of hypervalent phosphorus(V) porphyrins, PP(OMe)₂·PF₆, PMP(OMe)₂·PF₆, PDMP(OMe)₂·PF₆, P345TMP(OMe)₂·PF₆, and P246TMP(OMe)₂·PF₆, with phenyl (P), 4-methoxyphenyl (MP), 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl (DMP), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl (345TMP), and 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl (246TMP) units, respectively, have been synthesized. The P(+5) in the cavity makes the porphyrin ring electron-poor, whereas the methoxy groups make the meso-phenyl rings electron-rich. The presence of electron-rich and electron-poor portions within the porphyrin molecule promoted an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Also, the study suggests that the ICT depends on the number and position of the methoxy groups. The ICT is more prominent in m-methoxy-substituted phosphorus(V) porphyrins (PDMP(OMe)₂.PF₆, P345TMP(OMe)₂·PF₆) and almost no ICT was found in no-methoxy, o-methoxy, and/or p-methoxy phosphorus(V) porphyrins (PP(OMe)₂·PF₆, PMP(OMe)₂·PF₆, P246TMP(OMe)₂·PF₆). Transient absorption studies indicate that the ICT takes place on the picosecond time scale. The most striking results come from P246TMP(OMe)₂·PF₆, where each phenyl ring carries three methoxy units, like the P345TMP(OMe)₂·PF₆, but it failed to induce the ICT process. Electrochemical studies and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were used to support the experimental results. This study extensively explores why and how slight variations in meso-aryl substitutions lead to intricate changes in the photophysical and redox properties of phosphorus(V) porphyrins.

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.

Water-soluble sulfonated phosphorus(V) corrolazines and porphyrazines: the effect of macrocycle contraction and pyrazine ring fusion on spectral, acid-base and photophysical properties

Novel water-soluble dihydroxophosphorus(V) complexes of sulphophenyl substituted porphyrazine (6), corrolazine (7) and its pyrazine fused derivative (8) were prepared and their spectral, acid-base and photophysical properties in aqueous solutions were studied. Due to the presence of eight SO₃H groups, the compounds were fully monomeric (7 and 8) or only slightly aggregated (6) in water. Spectrophotometric titration revealed that the two stage deprotonation of axially bonded hydroxy groups can be achieved for porphyrazine 6 (pK_a1 = 5.62, pK_a2 = 9.13) and pyrazine fused corrolazine 8 (pK_a1 = 6.5, pK_a2 = 11.7), while only the first dissociation stage could be observed for corrolazine 7 (pK_a1 = 9.94). The fluorescence emission of the corrolazines 7, 8 and especially porphyrazine 6 was low in water (Φ_F = 0.086, 0.18, and 0.014, respectively) and completely quenched under basic conditions due to photoinduced electron transfer. In comparison with porphyrazine 6, the contraction of the macrocycle in the corrolazines 7 and 8 induced significant improvement of singlet oxygen production in water reaching values of Φ_Δ = 0.56 and 0.43, respectively, which makes the corrolazines promising photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy. The observed evolution of the electronic absorption spectra and fluorescence quenching observed in a basic medium was explained using the model DFT calculations (cc-pvtz basis set) performed for the dihydroxophosphorus(V) complexes of unsubstituted porphyrazine and corrolazine and their mono- and doubly deprotonated forms.

Rational Design and Synthesis of OEP and TPP Centered Phosphorus(V) Porphyrin-Naphthalene Conjugates: Triplet Formation via Rapid Charge Recombination

Six new "axial-bonding" type "phosphorus(V) porphyrin-naphthalene" conjugates have been prepared consisting of octaethylporphyrinatophosphorus(V) (POEP⁺)/tetraphenylporphyrinatophosphorus(V) (PTPP⁺) and naphthalene (NP). The distance between the porphyrin and NP was systematically varied using polyether bridges. The unique structural topology of the octaethylporphyrinatophosphorus(V) (POEP⁺) and tetraphenylporphyrinatophosphorus(V) (PTPP⁺) enabled construction of mono- and disubstituted phosphorus(V) porphyrin-naphthalene conjugates, respectively. The steady-state and transient spectral properties were investigated as a function of redox properties, distance, and molecular topology. Strong electronic interactions between the phosphorus(V) porphyrin and NP in directly bound conjugates were observed. The established energy diagrams predicted reductive electron transfer involving singlet excited phosphorus(V) porphyrin and NP to generate high-energy (∼1.83-2.11 eV) charge-separated states (POEP/PTPP)^•-(NP)^•+. Femtosecond transient absorption spectral studies revealed rapid deactivation of singlet excited phosphorus(V) porphyrin due to charge separation wherein the estimated forward rate constants were in the range of 10⁹-10¹⁰ s^-1 and were dependent on the distance between the NP and porphyrins units, as well as the redox potentials of the type of the phosphorus(V) porphyrin. Additionally, due to high exothermicity and low-lying triplet states, the charge recombination process was found to be rapid, leading to populating the triplet states of phosphorus(V) porphyrins.

Chemoselective Synthesis of Aryloxy-Substituted Phthalocyanines

The synthesis of the first examples of 8-fold α-aryloxy-substituted phthalocyanines is described. 3,6-Diiodophthalonitrile was used as a precursor for a series of 3,6-aryloxy-substituted phthalonitriles, and a lead-mediated macrocyclization was employed to afford the corresponding free-base phthalocyanine complexes. The optical, electrochemical, and aggregation properties of these complexes can be tuned by varying the substituents on the aryloxy groups or by changing the pH value.

2-Aminophenolate ligands for phosphorus(v): a lithium salt featuring the chiral [P(OC6H4NR)3]- anion

Phosphoranes P(OC6H4NR)2(OC6H4NHR) [R = Me (2a), Ph (2b), C6F5 (2c)] were synthesized by treating PCl5 with the respective 2-aminophenol derivative (1a-c, 3.1 equiv.). In one instance, an intermediate species, P(OC6H4NR)2Cl [R = Me (3a)], was isolated and structurally characterized. Deprotonation of the amine moieties (-NH[combining low line]R) in phosphoranes 2a and 2b with a strong alkali-metal base (e.g. n-BuLi) in the presence of a strong-donor solvent (e.g. THF) afforded salts composed of the hexacoordinate P(v)-anions [P(OC6H4NR)3]- (R = Me, [4a]-; Ph, [4b]-). Employing precursor 2a, the salt Li(THF)3fac-[4a]- was isolated. The X-ray crystal of each enantiomer of [4a]- was determined and, to our knowledge, represents the first structurally characterized example of a salt containing a hexacoordinate P(v)N3O3 anion featuring P(v)-N bonds.

First entry into nonmetal-centred porphycenes: synthesis of a phosphorus(v) complex of octaethylporphycene

The first synthesis and structural characterization of a phosphorus(v) complex of porphycene, a constitutional isomer of porphyrin, are reported.

Azaporphyrin phosphorus(v) complexes: synthesis, structure, and modification of optical properties

Azaporphyrinoids, such as phthalocyanines (Pcs), tetraazaporphyrins (TAPs), and tetrabenzotriazacorroles (TBCs), are some of the most well-known and successful artificial dyes and pigments in modern material chemistry.

Synthesis of meta-methoxyphenyl substituted tetraazaporphyrin and corrolazine phosphorus(V) complexes

Octa-(meta-methoxyphenyl) substituted tetraazaporphyrin (TAP, 1) and corrolazine (Cor, 4) phosphorus(V) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. 1 has a blue-shifted, small charge transfer (CT) band while para-methoxyphenyl substituted PTAP 2 has a red-shifted, intense CT band. The difference could be interpreted as an inductive effect of the meta-methoxy groups. The position and intensity of the absorption bands of 1 are well matched to the trend of para-substituted PTAPs. The synthesis of PCor from free-base TAP was also investigated. The PCor was not generated directly but from a PTAP intermediate

Phosphorus(V) tetrapyrazinocorrolazines — first corrolazine derivatives with fused heterocyclic rings

Tetrapyrazinocorrolazines — first corrolazine derivatives with annulated heterocycles — have been prepared as phosphorus(V) complexes by the reaction of metal free tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines [( R 8 TPyzPA ) H 2] (R = Ph, Me) with phosphorus(III) chloride or bromide in pyridine. Oxophosphorus(V) complexes [( R 8 TPyzCA ) P = O ] were obtained when the reaction mixture was poured into water, while dilution with methanol leads to dimethoxyphosphorus(V) complexes [( R 8 TPyzCA ) P ( OMe )2]. The obtained compounds were characterized by MALDI-TOF mass-spectrometry and by IR, 1 H , 31 P NMR measurements. Their UV-vis spectral and basic properties in CH 2 Cl 2– CF 3 COOH medium were studied in comparison to phosphorus(V) complex of octaphenylcorrolazine [( Ph 8 CA ) P = O ].

Control of absorption properties of tetraazaporphyrin group 15 complexes by modification of their axial ligands

The first example of “stimuli-responsive” tetraazaporphyrin (TAP) group 15 complexes has been prepared. Optical properties of TAPs can be switched across the entire UV-vis region.

Synthesis of a tetrabenzotriazacorrole μ-oxo dimer and investigation of its stacking effect

A μ-oxo dimer of phosphorus(v) tetrabenzotriazacorrole (PTBC) has been synthesized and characterized for the first time.

The structural chemistry of metallocorroles: combined X-ray crystallography and quantum chemistry studies afford unique insights

Although they share some superficial structural similarities with porphyrins, corroles, trianionic ligands with contracted cores, give rise to fundamentally different transition metal complexes in comparison with the dianionic porphyrins. Many metallocorroles are formally high-valent, although a good fraction of them are also noninnocent, with significant corrole radical character. These electronic-structural characteristics result in a variety of fascinating spectroscopic behavior, including highly characteristic, paramagnetically shifted NMR spectra and textbook cases of charge-transfer spectra. Although our early research on corroles focused on spectroscopy, we soon learned that the geometric structures of metallocorroles provide a fascinating window into their electronic-structural characteristics. Thus, we used X-ray structure determinations and quantum chemical studies, chiefly using DFT, to obtain a comprehensive understanding of metallocorrole geometric and electronic structures. This Account describes our studies of the structural chemistry of metallocorroles. At first blush, the planar or mildly domed structure of metallocorroles might appear somewhat uninteresting particularly when compared to metalloporphyrins. Metalloporphyrins, especially sterically hindered ones, are routinely ruffled or saddled, but the missing meso carbon apparently makes the corrole skeleton much more resistant to nonplanar distortions. Ruffling, where the pyrrole rings are alternately twisted about the M-N bonds, is energetically impossible for metallocorroles. Saddling is also uncommon; thus, a number of sterically hindered, fully substituted metallocorroles exhibit almost perfectly planar macrocycle cores. Against this backdrop, copper corroles stand out as an important exception. As a result of an energetically favorable Cu(d(x2-y2))-corrole(π) orbital interaction, copper corroles, even sterically unhindered ones, are inherently saddled. Sterically hindered substituents accentuate this effect, sometimes dramatically. Thus, a crystal structure of a copper β-octakis(trifluoromethyl)-meso-triarylcorrole complex exhibits nearly orthogonal, adjacent pyrrole rings. Intriguingly, the formally isoelectronic silver and gold corroles are much less saddled than their copper congeners because the high orbital energy of the valence d(x2-y2) orbital discourages overlap with the corrole π orbital. A crystal structure of a gold β-octakis(trifluoromethyl)-meso-triarylcorrole complex exhibits a perfectly planar corrole core, which translates to a difference of 85° in the saddling dihedral angles between analogous copper and gold complexes. Gratifyingly, electrochemical, spectroscopic, and quantum chemical studies provide a coherent, theoretical underpinning for these fascinating structural phenomena. With the development of facile one-pot syntheses of corrole macrocycles in the last 10-15 years, corroles are now almost as readily accessible as porphyrins. Like porphyrins, corroles are promising building blocks for supramolecular constructs such as liquid crystals and metal-organic frameworks. However, because of their symmetry properties, corrole-based supramolecular constructs will probably differ substantially from porphyrin-based ones. We are particularly interested in exploiting the inherently saddled, chiral architectures of copper corroles to create novel oriented materials such as chiral liquid crystals. We trust that the fundamental structural principles uncovered in this Account will prove useful as we explore these fascinating avenues.

Recent developments in the coordination chemistry of porphyrin complexes containing non-metallic and semi-metallic elements

Recent advances in the chemistry of main group porphyrin complexes are surveyed. New, unprecedented structural types for porphyrin complexes which have been revealed from the recent reports of boron and tellurium porphyrins are described. Advances in the preparation and reactivity of Group 14 (silicon and tin) and Group 15 porphyrin complexes are discussed. A systematic variation in the out-of-plane distortion (ruffling) of light element Group 14 and 15 porphyrin complexes has become apparent now that a significant number of structurally characterized examples are at hand.

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.

Light-induced hole transfer in a hypervalent phosphorus(V) octaethylporphyrin bearing an axially linked bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene

A phosphorus(V) porphyrin bearing an axially linked bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene, dyad 1, and its radical cation phosphorus(V) porphyrin- O-CH2 -(bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene)+•, dyad 2, have been synthesized and studied as an electron hole donor-acceptor system. The absorption spectrum of dyad 1 does not show evidence for electronic coupling between the porphyrin and the bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) moieties. However, the steady-state fluorescence of the porphyrin chromophore is quantitatively quenched and its transient fluorescence lifetime is shortened compared to a reference compound in which the BEDT-TTF moiety is replaced by a methoxy group. Chemical oxidation of the BEDT-TTF moiety in dyad 1 to give dyad 2 results in recovery of the fluorescence intensity. This behavior suggests that the fluorescence quenching in dyad 1 is the result of intramolecular hole transfer from the the excited porphyrin to the BEDT-TTF moiety. The occurence of hole transfer in dyad 1 is confirmed by freeze-trapping and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. The freeze-trapping EPR experiments show that steady-state irradiation of the complex leads to accumulation of its radical cation (dyad 2) while the transient EPR measurements at 5 °C show that flash irradiation of dyad 1 results in formation of a radical-ion pair with a lifetime of at least 300 ns. The triplet state of the porphyrin, which is formed by intersystem crossing and gives a strong transient EPR spectrum in the reference compound, is not observed for dyad 1. Together, the fluorescence quenching and the polarization pattern of the radical pair suggest that the hole transfer occurs from the excited singlet state of the porphyrin with high efficiency.

Sensitized Hole Injection of Phosphorus Porphyrin into NiO: Toward New Photovoltaic Devices

This paper describes the preparation and the characterization of a photovoltaic cell based on the sensitization of a wide band gap p-type semiconductor (NiO) with a phosphorus porphyrin. A photophysical study with femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy showed that light excitation of the phosphorus porphyrin chemisorbed on NiO particles induces a very rapid interfacial hole injection into the valence band of NiO, occurring mainly on the 2-20 ps time scale. This is followed by a recombination in which ca. 80% of the ground-state reactants are regenerated within 1 ns. A photoelectrochemical device, prepared with a nanocrystalline NiO electrode coated with the phosphorus porphyrin, yields a cathodic photocurrent indicating that electrons indeed flow from the NiO electrode toward the solution. The low incident-to-photocurrent efficiency (IPCE) can be rationalized by the rapid back recombination reaction between the reduced sensitizer and the injected hole which prevents an efficient regeneration of the sensitizer ground state from the iodide/triiodide redox mediator. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first example of a photovoltaic cell in which a mechanism of hole photoinjection has been characterized.

An Antiaromatic Porphyrin Complex: Tetraphenylporphyrinato(silicon)(L)2 (L = THF or Pyridine)

Treatment of Si(TPP)Cl2 (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrinato) with 2 equiv of Na/Hg in THF yields the reduced porphyrin complex, Si(TPP)(THF)2, in which the porphyrin ring system has an oxidation state of 4- and the complex is antiaromatic. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that Si(TPP)(THF)2 is highly ruffled and exhibits a unique C-C bond length alternation around its periphery. In addition, experimental 1H and 29Si NMR chemical shifts and NICS (nucleus-independent chemical shift) calculations on a model compound indicate a strong paratropic ring current in Si(TPP).

Octalkoxy-Substituted Phosphorus(V) Triazatetrabenzcorroles via Ring Contraction of Phthalocyanine Precursors

As part of efforts toward developing the synthesis of novel corrole analogues, the new triazatetrabenzcorrole (TBC) phosphorus(V) compounds (BuO)8(TBC)P(OCH3)2 (3), [(BuO)8(TBC)P(OH)]+OH- (4) ((BuO)8TBC=3,6,10,13,17,20,24,27-octabutoxytriazatetrabenzcorrolate), and [(BuO)8Cl8(TBC)P(OH)]+OH- (7) ((BuO)8Cl8TBC=3,6,10,13,17,20,24,27-octabutoxy-4,5,11,12,18,19,25,26-octachlorotriazatetrabenzcorrolate) were prepared. These TBCs were synthesized via a ring-contraction reaction mediated by PBr3 in pyridine in which a meso-nitrogen atom is extruded from an appropriate phthalocyanine precursor. Two of the compounds prepared, 3 and 4, are contracted analogues of the parent phthalocyanine (BuO8)PcH2 (1) 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octabutoxy-29H,31H-phthalocyanine, which has been shown for the first time to be susceptible to ring-contraction despite the potential steric crowding imposed by the butoxy substituents. Likewise, the octachloro-substituted (BuO8)Cl8PcH2 (6), 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octabutoxy-2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octachlorophthalocyanine, has also been shown to smoothly afford 7 via the same ring-contraction method. In addition, a rare example of a bona fide phosphorus(V) phthalocyanine, [(BuO)8(Pc)P(OCH3)2]+OH- (2), has been prepared for spectroscopic comparisons with the TBC compounds. These molecules are all extremely soluble in common organic solvents because of the octabutoxy substituents and have been characterized in detail by 1H NMR, 31P NMR, UV-vis, MALDI-MS, elemental analysis, and electrochemical studies. A clear trend in the phosphorus chemical shifts for 5 versus 6 coordination has been delineated: 31P NMR for 2, -179.8; 3, -186.1; 4, -105.1; and 7, -105.1. These data are compared to the 31P chemical shifts for related porphyrinoid(P(V)) molecules. The MALDI-MS data reveal the tendency of the TBC macrocycles to ionize as the radical cations (M(+*)) and has been useful in determining the axial ligands at phosphorus. A consequence of ring-contraction is reflected in the dramatic red-shifts (approximately 200 nm) observed for the Soret bands of the TBC compounds relative to the parent phthalocyanines. The magnitude of the red-shift is much greater than that reported for other TBCs. In addition, insertion of phosphorus causes a large red-shift in the Q-band of 2 found at 889 nm compared to 760 nm for 1. Cyclic voltammetry of the compounds in this study reveals multiple oxidation and reduction waves for each compound, and some interesting trends in redox potentials have been observed. The CV data for the octachloro-substituted compounds 6 and 7 show that the Cl substituents have an expected strong electron-withdrawing effect on the macrocycles. In general, the TBC compounds are significantly easier to oxidize and harder to reduce than the Pc counterparts, supporting the notion that corrole-type macrocycles favor higher oxidation states.