1O2 Mediated Conversion of ß-Enaminonitriles to α-Keto Amides Photosensitized by Recyclable H2TPP in Visible Light.

We report a one-step approach for the conversion of ß-enaminonitriles to synthetically versatile α-keto amides in moderate to high yields under visible light irradiation photosensitized by porphyrins. The method is mild, cost-effective, and sustainable and requires air as the sole reagent/oxidant. The reaction is believed to proceed via an ene-type pathway initiated by 1O2, followed by dehydration, imine hydrolysis, and subsequent nucleophilic substitution of the cyanide group by amine. The method offers a broad substrate scope and has also been extended for synthesis of α-keto esters with aliphatic alcohols as nucleophiles. The porphyrin recovered after the reaction can be reused multiple times.

Understanding and Controlling Molecular Compositions and Properties in Mixed-Linker Porphyrin Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Porphyrin-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are attractive materials for photo- and thermally activated catalysis due to their unique structural features related to the porphyrin moiety, guest-accessible porosity, and high chemical tunability. In this study, we report the synthetic incorporation of nonplanar ß-ethyl-functionalized porphyrin linkers into the framework structure of PCN-222, obtaining a solid-solution series of materials with different modified linker contents. Comprehensive analysis by a combination of characterization techniques, such as NMR, UV-vis and IR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and N2 sorption analysis, allows for the confirmation of linker incorporation. A detailed structural analysis of intrinsic material properties, such as the thermal response of the different materials, underlines the complexity of synthesizing and understanding such materials. This study presents a blueprint for synthesizing and analyzing porphyrin-based mixed-linker MOF systems and highlights the hurdles of characterizing such materials.

On-Surface Synthesis of Polyphenylene Wires Comprising Rigid Aliphatic Bicyclo[1.1.1]Pentane Isolator Units.

Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) motifs are of growing importance to the pharmaceutical industry as sp3 -rich bioisosteres of benzene rings and as molecular building blocks in materials science. Herein we explore the behavior of 1,3-disubstituted BCP moieties on metal surfaces by combining low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy / non-contact atomic force microscopy studies with density functional theory modeling. We examine the configuration of individual BCP-containing precursors on Au(111), their supramolecular assembly and thermally activated dehalogenative coupling reactions, affording polymeric chains with incorporated electronically isolating units. Our studies not only provide the first sub-molecular insights of the BCP scaffold behavior on surfaces, but also extend the potential application of BCP derivatives towards integration in custom-designed surface architectures.

Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane Embedded in Porphyrinoids.

We report a two-step approach to obtain synthetically versatile bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) derivatives using Grignard reagents. This method allows the incorporation of BCP units in tetrapyrrolic macrocycles and the synthesis of a new class of calix[4]pyrrole analogues by replacing two bridging methylene groups with two BCP units. In addition, a doubly N-confused system was also formed in the presence of electron-withdrawing substituents at the BCP bridgeheads. The pyrrole rings in BCP containing macrocycles exist in 1,3-alternate or αßαß conformations, as observed from single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and 2D NMR spectroscopy.

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.

Fundamental electronic changes upon intersystem crossing in large aromatic photosensitizers: free base 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxylatophenyl)porphyrin.

Free base 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxylatophenyl)porphyrin stands for the class of powerful porphyrin photosensitizers for singlet oxygen generation and light-harvesting. The atomic level selectivity of dynamic UV pump - N K-edge probe X-ray absorption spectroscopy in combination with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) gives direct access to the crucial excited molecular states within the unusual relaxation pathway. The efficient intersystem crossing, that is El-Sayed forbidden and not facilitated by a heavy atom is confirmed to be the result of the long singlet excited state lifetime (Qx 4.9 ns) and thermal effects. Overall, the interplay of stabilization by conservation of angular momenta and vibronic relaxation drive the de-excitation in these chromophores.

Enantioselective Discrimination of Histidine by Means of an Achiral Cubane-Bridged Bis-Porphyrin.

A Langmuir film of cubane-bridged bisporphyrin (H2por-cubane-H2por) at the air/water interface was developed and characterized. The floating film was successfully employed for the chiral discrimination between l- and d-histidine. The enantioselective behavior persisted after the deposition of the film on a solid support using the Langmuir-Schaefer method. Distinct absorption and reflection spectra were observed in the presence of l- or d-histidine, revealing that conformational switching was governed by the interaction between H2por-cubane-H2por and the histidine enantiomer. The mechanism of chiral selection was investigated using an ad hoc modified nulling ellipsometer, indicating the anti-conformation was dominant in the presence of l-histidine, whereas the presence of d-histidine promoted the formation of tweezer conformation.

Synthesis and Properties of BODIPY Appended Tetraphenylethylene Scaffolds as Photoactive Arrays.

Tetraphenylethylene (TPE) and its derivatives exhibit excellent aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. The TPE unit is easily accessible, and many functional groups can be introduced in a facile manner to yield effective luminescent materials in both solution and the solid-state. It is because of this, several TPE-based compounds have been developed and applied in many areas, such as OLEDs and chemical sensors. Boron dipyrromethenes (BODIPYs) are a class of pyrrolic fluorophore of great interest with myriad application in both material science and biomedical applications. Through the combination of Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and traditional dipyrromethene chemistry, we present the syntheses of novel tetra-BODIPY-appended TPE derivatives with different distances between the TPE and BODIPY cores. The TPE-BODIPY arrays 6 and 9 show vastly differing AIE properties in THF/H2O systems, with 9 exhibiting dual-AIE, along with both conjugates being found to produce singlet oxygen (1O2). We presume the synthesized BODIPY-appended TPE scaffolds to be utilized for potential applications in the fields of light-emitting systems and theranostics.

An Insight into Non-Covalent Interactions on the Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane Scaffold.

Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) is studied extensively as a bioisosteric component of drugs. Not found in nature, this molecular unit approximates the distance of a para-disubstituted benzene which is replaced in medicines as a method of improving treatments. Predicting interactions of these drugs with specific active sites requires knowledge of the non-covalent interactions engaged by this subunit. Structure determinations and computational analysis (Hirshfeld analysis, 2D fingerprint plots, DFT) of seven BCP derivatives chosen to probe specific and directional interactions. X-ray analysis revealed the presence of various non-covalent interactions including I ⋅⋅⋅ I, I ⋅⋅⋅ N, N-H ⋅⋅⋅ O, C-H ⋅⋅⋅ O, and H-C ⋅⋅⋅ H-C contacts. The preference of halogen bonding (I ⋅⋅⋅ I or I ⋅⋅⋅ N) in BCP 1-4 strictly depends upon the electronic nature and angle between bridgehead substituents. The transannular distance in co-crystals 2 and 4 was longer as compared to monomers 1 and 3. Stronger N-H ⋅⋅⋅ O and weaker C-H ⋅⋅⋅ O contacts were observed for BCP 5 while the O ⋅⋅⋅ H interaction was a prominent contact for BCP 6. The presence of 3D BCP units prevented the π ⋅⋅⋅ π stacking between phenyl rings in 3, 4, and 7. The BCP skeleton was often rotationally averaged, indicating fewer interactions compared to bridgehead functional groups. Using DFT analysis, geometries were optimized and molecular electrostatic potentials were calculated on the BCP surfaces. These interaction profiles may be useful for designing BCP analogs of drugs.

Investigation of the Reactivity of 1-Azido-3-iodobicyclo[1.1.1]pentane under "Click" Reaction Conditions.

The bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) unit is under scrutiny as a bioisostere in drug molecules. We employed methodologies for the synthesis of different BCP triazole building blocks from one precursor, 1-azido-3-iodobicyclo[1.1.1]pentane, by "click" reactions and integrated cycloaddition-Sonogashira coupling reactions. Thereby, we accessed 1,4-disubstituted triazoles, 5-iodo-1,4,5-trisubstituted triazoles, and 5-alkynylated 1,4,5-trisubstituted triazoles. This gives entry to the synthesis of multiply substituted BCP triazoles on either a modular or a one-pot basis. These methodologies were further utilized for appending porphyrin moieties onto the BCP core.

Synthesis and Structure of meso-Substituted Dibenzihomoporphyrins.

Bench-stable meso-substituted di(p/m-benzi)homoporphyrins were synthesized through acid-catalyzed condensation of dipyrrole derivatives with aryl aldehydes. The insertion of a 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethene (TPE) or but-2-ene-2,3-diyldibenzene unit in the porphyrin framework results in the formation of dibenzihomoporphyrins, merging the features of hydrocarbons and porphyrins. Single crystal X-ray analyses established the non-planar structure of these molecules, with the phenylene rings out of the mean plane, as defined by the dipyrromethene moiety and the two meso-carbon atoms. Spectroscopic and structural investigations show that the macrocycles exhibit characteristics of both TPE or but-2-ene-2,3-diyldibenzene and dipyrromethene units indicating the non-aromatic characteristics of the compounds synthesized. Additionally, the dibenzihomoporphyrins were found to generate singlet oxygen, potentially allowing their use as photosensitizers.

CHAOS: A fetal autopsy report.

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is a rare congenital malformation, which results from deficient recanalization of the upper airways. Laryngeal atresia is the most common cause, other etiologies being trachea atresia, laryngeal or tracheal webs, subglottic stenosis, obstructing laryngeal cysts, and laryngeal or tracheal agenesis. There is decreased clearance of the fluid produced by fetal lungs due to obstruction leading to increased intratracheal pressure and thereby secondary proliferative lung growth. The heart becomes compressed in the midline due to hyperexpansion of the lungs causing elevated intrathoracic pressure, decreased venous return, and fetal cardiac failure. This sequence causes ascites, placento-megaly, and eventually hydrops fetalis. We present a case of antenatal diagnosis of a fetus with CHAOS corroborated by fetal autopsy.

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 (Ka ) 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.

Structural, Photophysical, and Electrochemical Properties of Doubly Fused Porphyrins and Related Fused Chlorins.

The electrochemical and physicochemical properties of tetraphenylporphyrins and tetraphenylchlorins with two fused indanedione (IND) or malononitrile (MN) groups and two antipodal Br, Ph, or H ß-substituents are investigated in nonaqueous media. These compounds were synthesized by oxidative fusion of free-base trans-chlorins, followed by metalation. The corresponding free-base di-fused chlorins were also isolated as intermediates and characterized for comparisons. The examined di-fused porphyrins (DFP) and di-fused chlorins (DFC) are represented as MDFP(Y)2(R)2 and H2DFC(Y)2(R)2, where M = 2H, CuII, NiII, ZnII, and CoII, Y is a fused indanedione (IND) or malononitrile group (MN), and R = H, Br, or Ph. The IND- and MN-appended compounds in both series exhibit the expected two one-electron oxidations but quite different redox behavior is observed upon reduction, where the free-base IND-appended chlorins show four reversible one-electron reductions, compared to only two for the related free-base MN-appended chlorins. Although porphyrin trianions and tetraanions have been recently described for derivatives with highly electron-withdrawing and/or π-extending substituents, this seems not to be the case for the doubly fused IND-chlorins, where the first two one-electron additions are proposed to be located at the conjugated macrocycle and the last two at the fused IND groups, each of which is reduced at a different potential, consistent with the behavior expected for two equivalent and interacting redox centers. Unlike the examined chlorins, which are all stable in their electroreduced forms, the electrogenerated anionic forms of the di-fused porphyrins are all highly reactive and characterized by cyclic voltammograms having reduction peaks not only for the synthesized compounds added to solution but also for one or more new redox active species formed at the electrode surface in homogeneous chemical reactions following electron transfer. Comparisons are made between electrochemical behavior of the structurally related porphyrins and chlorins and the sites of electron transfer assigned on the basis of known electrochemical diagnostic criteria. One of the compounds, ZnDFP(MN)2, was also structurally characterized as having a ruffled and twisted macrocyclic conformation.

Bridging and Conformational Control of Porphyrin Units through Non-Traditional Rigid Scaffolds.

Connecting two porphyrin units in a rigid linear fashion, without any undesired electron delocalization or communication between the chromophores, remains a synthetic challenge. Herein, a broad library of functionally diverse multi-porphyrin arrays that incorporate the non-traditional rigid linker groups cubane and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) is described. A robust, reliable, and versatile synthetic procedure was employed to access porphyrin-cubane/BCP-porphyrin arrays, representing the largest non-polymeric structures available for cubane/BCP derivatives. These reactions demonstrate considerable substrate scope, from utilization of small phenyl moieties to large porphyrin rings, with varying lengths and different angles. To control conformational flexibility, amide bonds were introduced between the bridgehead carbon of BCP/cubane and the porphyrin rings. Through varying the orientation of the substituents around the amide bond of cubane/BCP, different intermolecular interactions were identified through single crystal X-ray analysis. These studies revealed non-covalent interactions that are the first-of-their-kind including a unique iodine-oxygen interaction between cubane units. These supramolecular architectures indicate the possibility to mimic a protein structure due to the sp3 rigid scaffolds (BCP or cubane) that exhibit the essential conformational space for protein function while simultaneously providing amide bonds for molecular recognition.

ß-Functionalized Dibenzoporphyrins with Mixed Substituents Pattern: Facile Synthesis, Structural, Spectral, and Electrochemical Redox Properties.

A new series of mixed ß-substituted dibenzoporphyrins were synthesized, and the effect of ß-substitution on the spectral and electrochemical redox properties of the macrocycle was elucidated. The synthetic route to ß-tetrasubstituted dibenzoporphyrins begins with the regioselective bromination of NiTPP(Benzo)2 to afford NiTPP(Benzo)2Br4, followed by Pd catalyzed coupling reaction to access NiTPP(Benzo)2(R)4 (R = phenyl (Ph) and phenylethynyl (PE)). Synthesized benzoporphyrins exhibited red-shifted absorption spectral features with tunable redox properties. These benzoporphyrins displayed pronounced electronic effects of ß-substituents on the macrocyclic skeleton. NiTPP(Benzo)2(PE)4 exhibited the lowest HOMO-LUMO gap among the series due to extended π-conjugation. Intrestingly, metal-centered oxidation of Ni(II)/Ni(III) was observed for NiOPP(Benzo)2 and NiOPP(Benzo)Br2 after an initial conversion of the neutral porphyrin to its dicationic form under electrochemical conditions.

Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization of Acetylacetone (acac) and Ethyl Acetate (EA) Appended ß-Trisubstituted Push-Pull Porphyrins: Formation of Electronically Communicating Porphyrin Dimers.

Two new families of "push-pull" tetraphenylporphyrins with one acetylacetone (acac) or ethyl acetate (EA) moiety at a ß-pyrrole position of the macrocycle and two Br or Ph substituents at the antipodal ß-positions were synthesized and structurally, spectroscopically, and electrochemically characterized. The examined porphyrins are represented as MTPP(R)2acac and MTPP(R)2EA (where R = Br or Ph and M = H2, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn). NiTPP(Br)2acac exhibits an extremely nonplanar conformation (Δ24 = 0.44 Å, ΔCß = 0.82 Å), while H2TPP(Br)2EA and ZnTPP(Ph)2EA exhibit a quasi-planar conformation. All of the synthesized acac-appended porphyrins show a keto-enol tautomerism in solution, which results in formation of hydrogen bonded dimers as evidenced by 1H NMR and mass spectrometry. Dimers were also detected under the electrochemical conditions for the dibromo derivatives but not the diphenyl substituted porphyrins. A facile stepwise and reversible electrogeneration of the electronically communicating porphyrin dimers is observed for MTPP(Br)2acac where M = CuII, NiII, or ZnII.

Nickel-Induced Skeletal Rearrangement of Free Base trans-Chlorins into Monofused NiII-Porphyrins: Synthesis, Structural, Spectral, and Electrochemical Redox Properties.

Several ruffled ß-to- ortho-phenyl monofused metalloporphyrins (MIIMFPs) with 1,3-indanedione functionality have been synthesized by oxidative fusion of free base trans-chlorins via nickel insertion followed by the skeletal rearrangement of macrocycle. The synthesized monofused porphyrins exhibited red-shifted electronic spectral features as compared to precursor, trans-chlorins or structurally related unfused porphyrins (mono/tri-ß-substituted porphyrins) due to extended π-conjugation and nonplanar conformation of the macrocyclic core. Four of the synthesized porphyrins were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Ring fusion resulted in twisted macrocyclic conformation, and the twist angles (the angle between 24-atom core and fused part) were found to be in the range of 20.97° to 27.97°. NiMFP(IND)Ph2 (3b) exhibited modestly ruffled conformation of the macrocyclic core which was further confirmed by higher Δ24 (0.362 Å) and ΔCß (0.279 Å) values. Free base monofused porphyrins have shown upfield shifted (Δδ = 0.27-0.29 ppm) inner core NHs as compared to precursors ( trans-chlorins), whereas much downfield shifted (Δδ = 0.9 ppm) as compared to H2TPP. Electron-rich Ni(II) complexes, that is, NiMFP(IND)R2 (where R = H and Ph) (1b and 3b), exhibited metal centered oxidation (NiII/NiIII) due to extended π-conjugation of macrocyclic core and electron-donating ß-substituents. Facile synthesis with good yields (60-90%), unexpected nickel-induced oxidative fusion, and selective conversion of trans-chlorins into monofused NiII-porphyrins are the significant features of the present work.

Selective Conversion of Planar trans-Chlorins into Highly Twisted Doubly Fused Porphyrins or Chlorins via Oxidative Fusion.

ß-to- o-phenyl doubly fused porphyrins (DFPs) or chlorins (DFCs) were selectively synthesized by facile oxidative fusion of trans-chlorins using 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4- benzoquinone (DDQ) in good-to-excellent yields (70-92%) under mild reaction conditions with high atom economy. The selectivity in product formation (difused porphyrin or chlorin) was controlled by the presence or absence of a Ni(II) ion in the macrocyclic core. Notably, nickel(II) trans-chlorins selectively yielded DFPs, whereas free-base trans-chlorins afforded only DFCs. The synthesized fused porphyrinoids exhibited significantly red-shifted electronic spectral features (Δλmax = 16-53 nm) of the Soret band due to the extended π conjugation and highly twisted macrocyclic conformation (twist angle ∼20-34°). Inner-core NHs of fused chlorins exhibited a tremendous downfield shift (Δδ = 1.71-2.02 ppm) compared to their precursors. The overall protonation constants for indanedione-substituted free-base-difused chlorins (4-6) were profoundly higher (∼20-50-fold) compared to dicyanomethyl-appended free-base-difused chlorins (10-12) because of the combined effect of the electronic nature of the ß-substituents and nonplanarity of the macrocyclic core. The first oxidation potential of H2DFC(MN)2Ph2 (12) was 0.54 V cathodically shifted with respect to H2DFC(MN)2 (10) because of the electron-donating nature of the ß-phenyl groups, which resulted in extensive destabilization of the highest occupied molecular orbital.