2-Aryl-3H-1,3-benzazaphosphole Oxides: Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer.

Inclusion of a heteroatom to the phosphole ring is a promising strategy to intrinsically modulate the optical properties of phosphole derivatives. We report on a series of 2-aryl-3H-1,3-benzazaphosphole oxides that were efficiently prepared via sequential C-P cross-coupling, dehydrative [3+2] cycloaddition, and ring-oxidation reactions. The inclusion of one nitrogen atom into the benzophosphole framework caused red shifting of the absorption and emission maxima, reflecting the greater stabilization of the LUMO level. 2-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)benzazaphosphole oxide underwent excited state intramolecular proton transfer and emitted a weak fluorescence from the excited state of the N-H tautomer.

Synthesis, Structure, and Redox and Optical Properties of 5,10,15,20-Tetraaryl-5-azaporphyrinium Salts.

The fundamental properties of azaporphyrins can be modulated over a wide range by changing the number of meso-nitrogen atoms. Reported herein are the first examples of 5,10,15,20-tetraaryl-5-azaporphyrinium (MTAMAP) salts, which were prepared via metal-templated cyclization of the corresponding zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes of 10-aryl-1-chloro-19-benzoyl-5,15-dimesityl-10-azabiladiene-ac. The inclusion of one meso-nitrogen atom in the 5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrin skeleton considerably changes the redox and optical properties as well as the degree of aromaticity of the porphyrin ring. The present findings suggest that MTAMAP salts would be promising scaffolds for the development of new azaporphyrin-based ionic fluorophores and photosensitizers.

Recent advances in the synthesis of diazaporphyrins and their chalcogen derivatives.

Porphyrins are highly influential functional materials in the field of science owing to their fascinating colors and diverse electrochemical and optical properties. Peripheral modification of porphyrin rings with nitrogen is an attractive approach for imparting unprecedented functions to both natural and artificial pophyrins. Diazaporphyrins (DAPs) are a class of compounds that have two meso-nitrogen atoms. DAPs exhibit characteristic redox and optical properties that differ significantly from those of porphyrins. The preparation and chemical functionalization of DAP-based sensitizers, catalysts, and materials have gained significant attention in various fields such as medical science, organic synthesis, and materials chemistry. This review focuses on recent advances in the synthesis of diazaporphyrins and their chalcogen derivatives, including historically important examples.

Synthesis and Optical Properties of 1,2,5,10-Tetraphenylanthra[2,3-b]phosphole Derivatives.

1,2,5,10-Tetraphenylanthra[2,3-b]phosphole oxides and 1-methyl-1,2,5,10-tetraphenylanthra[2,3-b]phospholium salts were prepared, and their optical properties were investigated. The substituent at the para position and the fused anthracene moiety were found to exert significant impacts on the fluorescence properties of the P-bridged 2-styrylanthracene skeleton.

Synthesis, Electrochemical Behavior, and Catalytic Activity of Cobalt Complexes of 5,10,15,20-Tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrinoids.

A one-pot synthesis of cobalt(II) complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrins (CoTADAPs) from the corresponding 5-aryl-1-arylamino-9-chlorodipyrrins and cobalt(II) acetate is reported. The CoTADAPs exhibited characteristic electrochemical behavior and catalyzed the intramolecular cyclization of N-benzyl-N-Boc-3-diazopropan-1-amines, probably via σ-CoIII-alkyl radical intermediates.

Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Electrochemical Behavior of 5,10,15,20-Tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrin-Amine Hybrids.

This work reports a series of covalently linked hybrids comprising 5,10,15,20-tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrinoids (M-TADAP; M = Ni, Zn, Cu) and amines. M-TADAP-amine hybrids were prepared via the metal-templated cyclization of the corresponding metal(II)-dipyrrin complexes and redox reactions on the DAP unit. In the UV/vis/near-IR absorption spectra of the hybrids containing an 18π-electron DAP ring, broad charge-transfer bands were observed, reflecting the electron-donating property of the para-aminophenyl groups and the electron-accepting property of the 18π TADAP dication. The electrochemical behavior of the M-TADAP-amine hybrids was strongly dependent on the structure of the peripheral amine units. Further electrochemical oxidation of the hybrids bearing N-Ph groups conceivably generated amine-centered radicals, which sequentially underwent irreversible coupling to form benzidine-linked M-TADAP polymer films. The Ni-TADAP-benzidine polymer exhibited the electric conductivity of 1×10-3  S m-1 .

Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer Reaction and Ground-State Hole Dynamics of 4'-N,N-Dialkylamino-3-hydroxyflavone in Ionic Liquids Studied by Transient Absorption Spectroscopy.

The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of 4'-N,N-dialkylamino-3-hydroxyflavone (CnHF) having different alkyl chain lengths (ethyl, butyl, and octyl chains) was investigated in ionic liquids (ILs) by steady-state fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopy. Upon photoexcitation, CnHF underwent ESIPT from the normal form to the tautomer form, and dual emissions from both states were detected. For C4HF and C8HF, the tautomerization yields determined from the fluorescence intensity ratios increased with the increasing number of alkyl chain carbon atoms in the cation and on reducing the excitation wavelength as reported for C2HF [K. Suda et al., J. Phys. Chem. B. 117, 12567 (2013)]. The transient absorption spectra of CnHF were measured at excitation wavelengths of 360, 400, and 450 nm. The ESIPT rate determined from the induced emission of the tautomer was correlated with the tautomerization yield for C2HF and C4HF. In addition, the recovery of the ground-state bleach was found to be strongly dependent on the excitation wavelength. This result indicates that the solvated state of the molecule before photoexcitation is dependent on the excitation wavelengths. The time constant for the ground-state relaxation was slower than that for the excited state.

Doubly Strapped Redox-Switchable 5,10,15,20-Tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrinoids: Promising Platforms for the Evaluation of Paratropic and Diatropic Ring-Current Effects.

This paper presents a novel series of chemically stable and redox-switchable 20π, 19π, and 18π 5,10,15,20-tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrinoids (TADAPs) that have two alkyl-chain straps above and below the diazaporphyrin ring. Three types of doubly strapped TADAPs were prepared as nickel(II) complexes using meso-N-(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)-substituted TADAP and the corresponding aliphatic diacids as precursors. Theoretical calculations revealed that regardless of their oxidation states, all strapped TADAPs had essentially flat π-planes. It was found that the alkyl-chain straps slightly affected the optical and electrochemical properties of the DAP rings, particularly in the oxidized forms. 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to evaluate the antiaromatic character of the 20π TADAPs and the aromatic character of the 18π TADAP dications, and it was observed that they displayed paratropic and diatropic ring-current effects, respectively, on the chemical shifts of methylene protons in the spatially separated alkyl chains. The degree of shielding and deshielding depended on the position of the methylene units; it decreased with increase in separation from the π-plane and central axis of the porphyrin ring. The NMR experiments also revealed that the degree of the diatropic ring currents was clearly related to the π-electron density of the porphyrin ring; the ring-current effects decreased as the charge increased from 0 to +2. These findings are also qualitatively supported by the nucleus-independent chemical shifts.

Effects of the Peripheral Substituents, Central Metal, and Solvent on the Photochemical and Photophysical Properties of 5,15-Diazaporphyrins.

Metal complexes of 3,7,13,17-tetrakis(di(4-carboxyphenyl)amino)-5,15-diazaporphyrin (MDAP-COOH; M=Pd, Cu) and their ethyl ester precursors (MDAP-COOEt; M=Pd, Cu) have been synthesized for use as near-infrared (NIR)-light-responsive photosensitizers. Under irradiation with visible or NIR light, PdDAP-COOEt in toluene generated singlet oxygen (1 O2 ) with an excellent quantum yield (ΦΔ =0.99), whereas CuDAP-COOEt exhibited a lower efficiency (ΦΔ =0.21). The water-soluble PdII complex PdDAP-COOH also behaved as a photosensitizer (ΦΔ =0.20) in a micellar solution. The photophysical properties of these dyes were measured by transient absorption techniques. It was found that the efficiency of the energy transfer from the triplet state of MDAP-COOR (R=Et, H) to the ground state of dioxygen was highly dependent on the peripheral substituents, the central metal, and the solvent. Furthermore, the phototoxicity of PdDAP-COOH toward HeLa cells under irradiation of NIR light (720 nm) was evaluated. As expected, PdDAP-COOH exhibited good photodynamic activity, and control experiments confirmed that 1 O2 was generated as the active oxygen species.

Regioselective functionalization at the 7-position of 1,2,3-triphenylbenzo[b]phosphole oxide via P[double bond, length as m-dash]O-directed lithiation.

Various 7-substituted benzo[b]phosphole derivatives were prepared by P[double bond, length as m-dash]O-directed lithiation of 1,2,3-triphenylbenzo[b]phosphole P-oxide and subsequent iodination and cross-coupling reactions. The electron-donating groups introduced at the 7-position produced dramatic solvatofluorochromism owing to the strong charge-transfer character of the excited state of the entire π-system.

Synthesis of 3,5-Disubstituted BODIPYs Bearing N-Containing Five-Membered Heteroaryl Groups via Nucleophilic C-N Bond Formation.

Aromatic substitution reactions were applied to the divergent synthesis of a series of symmetrically and unsymmetrically 3,5-disubstituted BODIPYs bearing N-heteroaryl groups. Furthermore, the effect of N-heteroaryl substituents at the 3- and 5-positions on the optical and photophysical properties of the BODIPY π-electron system was elucidated.

Phosphole-Thiophene Hybrid: A Dual Role of Dithieno[3,4- b:3',4'- d]phosphole as Electron Acceptor and Electron Donor.

We have synthesized dithieno[3,4- b:3',4'- d]phosphole derivatives as a new type of thiophene-fused phospholes. These dithienophospholes were found to show intramolecular charge transfer interactions by introducing electron-donating or -withdrawing groups on the peripheral aryl groups. Namely, they exhibit the unique hybrid character of electron-withdrawing phosphole and electron-donating thiophene.

Direct and Regioselective Amination of ß-Unsubstituted 5,15-Diazaporphyrins with Amines: A Convenient Route to Near-Infrared-Responsive Diazaporphyrin Sensitizers.

We have established a convenient method for the base-promoted direct amination of ß-unsubstituted 5,15-diazaporphyrins (DAPs) with secondary and primary amines to produce 3,7,13,17-tetraamino- and 3-amino-DAPs, respectively, regioselectively. The amino groups attached at the periphery cause significant red shifts of the absorption bands as a result of their perturbation of the HOMO and/or LUMO in the DAP π-system. The palladium complex of a 3,7,13,17-tetrakis(diphenylamino)-DAP generated singlet oxygen in high yield under irradiation with near-infrared light.

Syntheses, Properties, and Catalytic Activities of Metal(II) Complexes and Free Bases of Redox-Switchable 20π, 19π, and 18π 5,10,15,20-Tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrinoids.

In spite of significant advances in redox-active porphyrin-based materials and catalysts, little attention has been paid to 20π and 19π porphyrins because of their instability in air. Here we report the meso-modification of 5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrin with two nitrogen atoms, which led to redox-switchable 20π, 19π, and 18π 5,10,15,20-tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrinoids (TADAPs). Three kinds of metal(II) complexes and free bases of TADAP were prepared by the metal-templated annulation of the corresponding metal-bis(dipyrrin) complexes. The inductive and resonance effects of the meso-nitrogen atoms on the aromatic, optical, electrochemical, and magnetic properties of the entire TADAP π-systems were assessed by using various spectroscopic measurements and density functional theory calculations. The aromaticity and π-π* electronic transition energies of the TADAPs varied considerably, and were shown to be dependent on the oxidation states of the π-systems. In contrast to the isoelectronic 5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrin derivatives, the 20π and 19π TADAPs were chemically stable under air. In particular, the 19π TADAP radical cations were extremely stable towards dioxygen, moisture, and silica gel. This reflected the low-lying singly occupied molecular orbitals of their π-systems and the efficient delocalization of their unshared electron spin. The capability of MgTADAP to catalyze aerobic biaryl formation from aryl Grignard reagents was demonstrated, which presumably involved a 19π/20π redox cycle.

Effects of counter anions, P-substituents, and solvents on optical and photophysical properties of 2-phenylbenzo[b]phospholium salts.

In this work, we investigated the effects of counter anions, P-substituents, and solvents on the optical and photophysical properties of 2-phenylbenzo[b]phospholium salts in solution. A series of 2-phenylbenzo[b]phospholium salts was prepared by P-alkylation or P-phenylation of 1,2-diphenylbenzo[b]phosphole followed by anion exchange reactions. X-ray crystallographic analyses of six benzo[b]phospholium salts showed that each phosphorus center has an onium nature with an essentially tetrahedral geometry. 1H NMR and steady-state UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic measurements of these phospholium salts revealed the pivotal role of counter-anion solvation. The observed results are discussed on the basis of the association-dissociation equilibrium between a contact ion pair (CIP) and a solvent-separated ion pair (SSIP) in solution. The hexafluorophosphates exist as SSIPs and emit intense fluorescence, irrespective of the P-substituents and solvents. In contrast, the iodides are present as SSIPs in methanol but exist as equilibrium mixtures of the two emitting species, SSIP and CIP, in dichloromethane. As a consequence, fluorescence intensities of the iodides varied significantly depending on the solvents, P-substituents, and solution concentrations. These findings were studied in more detail using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence titration measurements. The light-emitting properties of the 2-phenylbenzo[b]phospholium halides in the CIPs rely on heavy atom effects derived from the counter halide anions on the S1 state of the adjacent cationic benzo[b]phosphole π-systems. The present study suggests that 2-arylbenzo[b]phospholium salts would be promising scaffolds for developing new phosphole-based ionic fluorophores that are capable of responding to external stimuli such as anionic species and solvents.

Excited-State Proton Transfer of Cyanonaphthols in Protic Ionic Liquids: Appearance of a New Fluorescent Species.

Excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) of 5-cyano-2-naphthol (5CN2) and 5,8-dicyano-2-naphthol (DCN2) in three different protic ionic liquids (PILs), triethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([N222H][CF3SO3]), triethylammonium methanesulfonate ([N222H][CH3SO3]), and triethylammonium trifluoroacetate ([N222H][CF3COO]), was studied by time-resolved fluorescence. In [N222H][CF3SO3], both 5CN2 and DCN2 showed fluorescence only from ROH* (normal form of substituted naphthol in the excited states), indicating that no ESPT occurred in [N222H][CF3SO3]. For 5CN2 in [N222H][CH3SO3], fluorescence bands from ROH* and RO-* (anionic form of substituted naphthol in the excited states) were observed, indicating that 5CN2 could dissociate proton to surrounding solvents and form RO-*. More interestingly, 5CN2 in [N222H][CF3COO] and DCN2 in [N222H][CH3SO3] and [N222H][CF3COO] showed an anomalous fluorescence band around 470 nm (5CN2) or around 520 nm (DCN2) which has not been reported previously. The kinetics of each fluorescent component of 5CN2 and DCN2 was analyzed on the basis of the time profile of fluorescence intensity. Plausible ESPT schemes of 5CN2 and DCN2 were discussed on the basis of the kinetics and the basicity of anion in PILs.

Synthesis of Aza-, Oxa-, and Thiaporphyrins and Related Compounds.

Chemical modification at the periphery with nitrogen or chalcogens is a highly promising strategy to diversify the optical, electrochemical, magnetic, and coordination properties of the porphyrin family. Indeed, various kinds of phthalocyanines and related benzo-annelated azaporphyrinoids have been synthesized, and their fundamental properties have been extensively investigated. However, the synthesis of heteroatom-containing porphyrins in which the peripheral methine groups are partially replaced with nitrogen or chalcogens remains a considerable challenge. In this review, we will focus mainly on recent advances in the synthesis of aza-, oxa-, and thiaorphyrins and related compounds, including historically important examples.

Nitrogen-Bridged Metallodiazaporphyrin Dimers: Synergistic Effects of Nitrogen Bridges and meso-Nitrogen Atoms on Structure and Properties.

NH-bridged and pyrazine-fused metallodiazaporphyrin dimers have been prepared from nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of 3-amino-5,15-diazaporphyrin by Pd-catalyzed C-N cross-coupling and oxidative dimerization reactions, respectively. The synergistic effects of the nitrogen bridges and meso-nitrogen atoms play major roles in enhancing the light-harvesting properties and delocalization of an electron spin over the entire π-skeletons of the metallodiazaporphyrin dimers.

Unsymmetrically Substituted Donor-π-Acceptor-Type 5,15-Diazaporphyrin Sensitizers: Synthesis, Optical and Photovoltaic Properties.

The first examples of unsymmetrical ß-substituted donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A)-type 5,15-diazaporphyrin (DAP) sensitizers with both p-aminophenyl and p-carboxyphenyl groups at their peripheral 3-, 7-, 13-, and/or 17-positions have been synthesized for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). UV/Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, electrochemical measurements, and DFT calculations revealed that these D-π-A dyes exhibit high light-harvesting properties over the whole visible range because of the intrinsic charge-transfer character of their electronic transitions. The cell performances of TiO2 -based DSSCs fabricated with the newly prepared DAP derivatives were evaluated under standard AM1.5 conditions. Among the four dyes examined, 13,17-bis(p-carboxyphenyl)-3,7-bis[p-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl]-DAP showed the highest power conversion efficiency (2.0 %), which was 20 times larger than that obtained with 3-(p-carboxyphenyl)-DAP. These results show that the DAP chromophore could be used as the electron-accepting π unit in various types of functional dyes.