Theoretical study of stability, structures, and aromaticity of multiply N-confused porphyrins

Photophysical Exploration of Two Isomers of Octaethyltrioxopyrrocorphin

The introduction of three β-oxosubstituents to octaethylporphyrin by means of an oxidation/rearrangement reaction generates the trioxopyrrocorphin chromophore. Pyrrocorphins (hexahydroporphyrins) are generally nonaromatic, but we recently demonstrated trioxopyrrocorphins to possess considerable aromatic character. This contribution explores the photophysical characteristics of these unusual chromophores. In agreement with density functional theory modeling, the UV-vis and magnetic circular dichroism spectra of the two─out of the four possible─triketone regioisomers investigated conform to the Gouterman model of porphyrinoid optical spectra, in alignment with their aromaticity. Their excited-state dynamics shed further light on the degree to which β-oxo substitutions tune the photophysical properties of porphyrinoids. Introduction of β-oxo functionalities increases the rate and yield of intersystem crossing and shortens the triplet state lifetime. Unexpectedly, the singlet oxygen generation yield of both pyrrocorphins remains relatively high, with modes of distortion from planarity likely enhancing triplet energy transfer. This work thus expands our understanding of a rare class of porphyrinoids and further characterizes them as sustaining aromatic porphyrinic π-systems. Our findings suggest triple β-oxo substitution as a viable route toward the development of novel, high-singlet oxygen yield porphyrinic photosensitizers.

Aromatic Character and Relative Stability of Pyrazoloporphyrin Tautomers and Related Protonated Species: Insights into How Pyrazole Changes the Properties of Carbaporphyrinoid Systems

Pyrazoloporphyrins (PzPs), which are porphyrin analogues incorporating a pyrazole subunit, are examples of carbaporphyrin-type structures with a carbon atom within the macrocyclic cavity. DFT calculations were used to assess a series of 17 PzP tautomers, nine monoprotonated species and four related diprotonated PzP dications. The geometries of the structures were optimized using M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p), and the relative stabilities computed with the cc-PVTZ functional. Nucleus independent chemical shifts, both NICS(0) and NICS(1)_zz, were calculated, and the anisotropy of the induced current density (AICD) plots were generated for all of the species under investigation. The results for free base PzPs show that fully aromatic PzP tautomers are not significantly more stable than weakly aromatic cross-conjugated species. In addition, strongly aromatic structures with internal CH_2's are much less stable, a feature that is also seen for protonated PzPs. The degree of planarity for the individual macrocycles does not significantly correlate with the stability of these structures. The results allow significant aromatic conjugation pathways to be identified in many cases, and provide insights into the aromatic properties of this poorly studied system. These investigations also complement experimental results for PzPs and emphasize the need for further studies in this area.

Organometallic chemistry confined within a porphyrin-like framework

The world of modified porphyrins changed forever when an N-confused porphyrin (NCP), a porphyrin isomer, was first published in 1994. The replacement of one inner nitrogen with a carbon atom revolutionised the chemistry that one is able to perform within the coordination cavity. One could explore new pathways in the organometallic chemistry of porphyrins by forcing a carbon fragment from the ring or an inner substituent to sit close to an inserted metal ion. Since the NCP discovery, a series of modifications became available to tune the coordination properties of the cavity, introducing a fascinating realm of carbaporphyrins. The review surveys all possible carbatetraphyrins(1.1.1.1) and their spectacular coordination and organometallic chemistry.

Creation from Confusion and Fusion in the Porphyrin World─The Last Three Decades of N-Confused Porphyrinoid Chemistry

Confusion is a novel concept of isomerism in porphyrin chemistry, delivering a steady stream of new chemistry since the discovery of N-confused porphyrin, a porphyrin mutant, in 1994. These days, the number of confused porphyrinoids is increasing, and confusion and associated fusion are found in various fields such as supramolecular chemistry, materials chemistry, biological chemistry, and catalysts. In this review, the birth and growth of confused porphyrinoids in the last three decades are described.

Chemical transformation of Doubly N-Confused Porphodimethene to variants of (anti)Aromatic Doubly N-Confused Porphyrinoids and σ aromatic Doubly N-Confused Isophlorinoid

Chemical conversion of non-aromatic trans-doubly N-confused porphodimethene to hitherto unknown variants of doubly N-confused porphyrinoids/isophlorinoid have been unravelled by precise interplay between the types of oxidants, the types of meso-aryl...

Targeted synthesis of meso-aryl substituted aromatic trans-doubly N-confused dithia/diselena [18] porphyrins (1.1.1.1) with NIR absorption: spectroscopic and theoretical characterization

High yield synthesis and spectroscopic isolation of two hitherto unknown highly stable single conformers of meso-aryl substituted dithia/diselena trans-doubly N-confused porphyrins with fully π-conjugated [18] annulene structures are reported. In-depth solution state spectroscopic measurements and DFT level theoretical calculations strongly show the distinct aromaticity with strong NIR absorption of these new macrocycles.

NH Tautomerism of N-Confused Porphyrin: Solvent/Substituent Effects and Isomerization Mechanism

The effects of substituents and solvents on the NH tautomerism of N-confused porphyrin (2) were investigated. The structures, electronic states, and aromaticity of NH tautomers (2-2H and 2-3H) were studied by absorption and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N) spectroscopies, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and theoretical calculations. The relative stability of the tautomers is highly affected by solvents, with the 3H-type tautomer being more stable in nonpolar solvents, while the 2H-type tautomer being highly stabilized in polar solvents with high donor numbers such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), pyridine, and acetone. Electron-withdrawing groups on the meso-aryl substituents as well as the methyl group at the ortho position also stabilize the 2H-type tautomer. Kinetically, the tautomerism rate is significantly influenced by solvent and concentration, and a particularly large activation entropy (ΔS^⧧) is obtained in pyridine. The first-order deuterium isotope effect on the reaction rates of NH tautomerism (k_H/k_D) is determined to be 2.4 at 298 K. On the basis of kinetic data, the mechanism of isomerization is identified as an intramolecular process, including the rotation of the confused pyrrole in pyridine/chloroform and DMF/chloroform mixed solvent systems, and as a pyridine-mediated process in pyridine alone.

A study on the aromaticity and magnetic properties of N-confused porphyrins

In this paper, topological resonance energy (TRE) methods were used to describe the global aromaticity of nitrogen confused porphyrin (NCP) isomers. The TRE results show that all NCP isomers exhibit lower aromaticity than the normal porphyrins, and their aromaticity decreases as the number of confused pyrrole rings in the molecule increases. In the NCPs, global aromaticity decreases as the distance between the nitrogen atoms increases. The bond resonance energy (BRE) and circuit resonance energy (CRE) indices were applied to study local aromaticity and conjugated pathways. Both the BRE and CRE indices revealed that individual pyrrolic subunits maintain their strong aromatic character and are the main source of global aromaticity. Ring currents (RC) were analysed using the Hückel-London model. RC results revealed that the macrocyclic electron conjugation pathway is the main source of diatropicity. As the number of confused pyrrole rings in the molecule increases, its diatropicity gradually decreases. In the confused pyrrole rings of the NCP isomers, the diatropic RC passing through the β-positions is always weaker than that passing through the inner sections. This is unrelated to the location of the protonated or non-protonated nitrogen atom at the periphery of the molecule and must be ascribed to the unique properties of the confused pyrrole rings.

N-Confused Porphyrin - A Unique "Turn-On" Chemosensor for CN- and F- ions and "Turn-Off" Sensor for ClO4 - ions

N-Confused meso-tetrakis(4-carbomethoxyphenyl)porphyrin (1) and its Ni(II) complex (1 a) have been synthesized and utilized for anion sensing studies, and the results are compared with N-confused meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (NCTPP). Anion susceptibilities of 1 and 1 a were investigated using spectroscopic, electrochemical, and DFT studies. Porphyrins 1 and 1 a were able to detect CN^- , F^- , and ClO₄ ^- ions selectively over the tested set of anions even at ppm level. Interestingly, the addition of ClO₄ ^- ions resulted in fluorescence quenching (turn off) whereas the addition of F^- or CN^- resulted in fluorescence enhancement (turn on). Notably, the TFA addition resulted in fluorescence quenching, whereas the fluorescence enhancement was observed while adding TBAOH. The higher association constant (K_a ) values with anions, lower detection limit, and shifts in redox potentials are due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the -COOCH₃ group at the para-position of the meso-phenyl ring. This electron-withdrawing nature is crucial for the higher affinity towards anions. The anion sensing description in this article may not only unveil the built-in nature of N-confused porphyrins, but may also provide a general proposal for the development of novel anion sensors based on porphyrinoids. The electron-deficient porphyrin framework, large polarisable π-system, and anion binding through the outer NH or a combination of the above factors serve as a foundation for N-confused porphyrin to act as an anion sensor.

A mechanistic study of nitrite reduction on iron(ii) complexes of methylated N-confused porphyrins

Proton delivery to the prosthetic group is a crucial step to sustain the activity of nitrite reductase. An iron N-confused porphyrin (NCP) complex, which is capable of relaying protons from the outer pyrrolic nitrogen (N_out-H) of the inverted pyrrole ring to the axial coordinated ligand, has been demonstrated to facilitate facile nitrite reduction. Time-dependent FTIR studies on the reaction between [Fe^II(HCTPPMe)Br] (1) and a nitrite anion revealed a two-step process involving conversion of the starting complex 1 to an {Fe(NO)}⁷ intermediate, [Fe(CTPPMe)(NO)] (5), before the detection of [Fe(CTPPCH₂)(NO)] (3), an {Fe(NO)}⁶ end product. Moreover, spectroscopic data confirm that N_out-H on the NCP core is indispensable to the proceeding of the nitrite reduction reaction. Mass spectra have detected the coordination of a nitrite to the iron center while DFT theoretical calculations suggest that subsequent intramolecular proton transfer to a nitro group to form [Fe(CTPPMe)(HNO₂)] (6a) evokes a homolytic N-OH bond fission on axial nitrous acid due to an enhanced π-back-bonding to produce an {Fe(NO)}⁷ intermediate and to release a hydroxyl radical. The subsequent oxidation of an {Fe(NO)}⁷ intermediate by the hydroxyl radical gave the final product, {Fe(NO)}⁶ [Fe(CTPPCH₂)(NO)] (3). This study illustrates a proton assisted small molecule activation on the iron N-confused porphyrin coordination sphere and provides complemental insights into the mechanism of enzymatic nitrite reduction reactions.

N-Confused porphyrins: complexation and 1H NMR studies

The complexation of 2-aza-21-carba-tetraphenylporphyrin and 2-aza-2-methyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrin with nickel and zinc acetates in organic solvents has been investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and ¹H NMR.

Expanded, Contracted, and Isomeric Porphyrins: Theoretical Aspects

The use of cyclic polyene perimeter-model approaches, such as Gouterman's four-orbital model and Michl's perimeter model, to analyze trends in the electronic structures and optical properties of expanded, contracted, and isomeric porphyrins is described with an emphasis on the use of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy to validate the results of TD-DFT calculations. Trends in the electronic structures and optical properties of isomeric porphyrins are examined by comparing the properties of porphycenes, corrphycenes, hemiporphycenes, isoporphycenes, N-confused and neoconfused porphyrins, and norroles, whereas those of ring-contracted porphyrins are examined by comparing the properties of subporphyrins, triphyrins, and vacataporphyrins. The ring-expanded compounds that are examined include cyclo[n]pyrroles, [22]pentaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1), sapphyrins, smaragdyrins, isosmaragdyrins, orangarins, ozaphyrins, [26]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1), rubyrins, rosarins, amethyrins, isoamethyrins, bronzaphyrins, and doubly N-confused hexaphyrins.

1H/2H and azide/tetrazole isomerizations and their effects on the aromaticity and stability of azido triazoles

DFT studies on NAzTA, AAzTA, and AzTA show –NH₂ facilitates but –NO₂ impedes 1H/2H tautomerization. AZ/TZ isomerization of molecules with –N₃ only is the easiest. 1H/2H tautomerization decreases while AZ/TZ isomerization increases the stability.

A study on the aromaticity and magnetic properties of triazolephorphyrazines

Global and local aromaticities of triazoleporphyrazines were characterized using the graph theory of aromaticity and ring-current diamagnetism methods.

Relative stability of benziporphyrin and naphthiporphyrin tautomers and the emergence of macrocyclic diatropicity

The conformations and relative stabilities of a series of benziporphyrin and naphthiporphyrin tautomers were calculated and the diatropic properties of each of these species were assessed. The results were in good agreement with experimental observations and allow favorable delocalization pathways to be identified.

N-confused porphyrins as new scaffolds for supramolecular architecture

The peripheral nitrogen of N -confused porphyrins ( NCP ) can serve as a hydrogen bonding donor and acceptor, and a metal coordination site as well. NCP forms versatile dimers with the assistance of metal ions such as Pd II, Pt II, Zn II, Cd II, Hg II, Mn II and Fe II. The square-planar divalent metal complexes of C 6 F 5-substituted NCP with Cu II, Ni II and Pd II act as efficient anion binding receptors. The doubly N -confused porphyrins ( N 2 CP ), possessing both N and NH at the periphery, form self-assembled 1-D hydrogen bonding networks, whose orientations differ in cis (zigzag) and trans (straight) isomers.

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.

Chemical bonding and aromaticity in metalloporphyrins,

We report here the chemical bonding and aromaticity patterns in metalloporphyrins, which were obtained with density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the OPBE/TZP level. This level of theory was previously shown to be very accurate for determining spin-state splittings [J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2008, 4, 2057] of transition-metal complexes. We considered metalloporphyrins along the first-row transition metals (Sc–Zn) extended with alkaline-earth metals (Mg, Ca) and several second-row transition metals (Ru, Pd, Ag, Cd). An energy decomposition analysis was performed to study the metal–ligand interactions, which showed that almost all complexes are significantly stabilized through (covalent) orbital interactions. The only exception is with calcium as the central metal, which interacts with the porphyrin mainly through electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, we studied aromaticity patterns for these complexes by looking at a number of (structural and electronic) aromaticity descriptors, for both the inner-ring and outer-ring of the porphyrin and of the pyrroles. The inner-ring (N16) aromaticity is shown to be unaffected by metal complexation, while the outer-ring (N20) and the pyrrole (N5) aromaticities are found to increase significantly in the metal coordinated porphyrins.

22-Hydroxybenziporphyrin: Switching of Antiaromaticity by Phenol−Keto Tautomerization

22-hydroxybenziporphyrin, a porphyrin analogue containing a phenol moiety, has been shown to exist as an equilibrium mixture of two distinctly different tautomers. One of them actually contains the hydroxy group and shows the local [6]annulene aromaticity in the phenol fragment. The other tautomer contains a keto group and exhibits a [20]annulenoid structure characterized by macrocyclic antiaromaticity. The tautomerization process has been investigated in detail using variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy. The process is very fast, with an estimated activation energy of ca. 30 kJ/mol. Further insight into the energetics of the tautomerization is obtained from density functional (DFT) calculations. Surprisingly, the estimated energy of the antiaromatic keto species is 3-5 kcal/mol lower than the energy of the phenolic tautomer. The geometric and magnetic manifestations of aromaticity and antiaromaticity in the two tautomers are probed using a number of computational devices, including Wiberg bond indices, resonace weights derived from the harmonic oscillator model, and nucleus-independent chemical shifts. It is shown that mixing of phenolic and keto contributions in both tautomers is stronger than that in related tautomers of phenol. This effect is caused by extensive conjugation with the tripyrrolic unit of 22-hydroxybenziporphyrin and, to a lesser extent, by intramolecular hydrogen bonding.