Synthesis, electrochemistry, and photophysics of a family of phlorin macrocycles that display cooperative fluoride binding

Allen J. Pistner, Daniel A. Lutterman, Michael J. Ghidiu, Ying Zhong Ma, Joel Rosenthal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

A homologous set of 5,5-dimethylphlorin macrocycles in which the identity of one aryl ring is systematically varied has been prepared. These derivatives contain ancillary pentafluorophenyl (3H(PhlF)), mesityl (3H(Phl Mes)), 2,6-bismethoxyphenyl (3H(PhlOMe)), 4-nitrophenyl (3H(Phl NO2)), or 4-tert-butylcarboxyphenyl (3H(Phl CO2tBu)) groups at the 15-meso-position. These porphyrinoids were prepared in good yields (35-50%) and display unusual multielectron redox and photochemical properties. Each phlorin can be oxidized up to three times at modest potentials and can be reduced twice. The electron-donating and electron-releasing properties of the ancillary aryl substituent attenuate the potentials of these redox events; phlorins containing electron-donating aryl groups are easier to oxidize and harder to reduce, while the opposite trend is observed for phlorins containing electron-withdrawing functionalities. Phlorin substitution also has a pronounced effect on the observed photophysics, as introduction of electron-releasing aryl groups on the periphery of the macrocycle is manifest in larger emission quantum yields and longer fluorescence lifetimes. Each phlorin displays an intriguing supramolecular chemistry and can bind 2 equiv of fluoride. This binding is allosteric in nature, and the strength of halide binding correlates with the ability of the phlorin to stabilize the buildup of charge. Moreover, fluoride binding to generate complexes of the form 3H(PhlR)·2F- modulates the redox potentials of the parent phlorin. As such, titration of phlorin with a source of fluoride represents a facile method to tune the ability of this class of porphyrinoid to absorb light and engage in redox chemistry.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6601-6607
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume135
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2013

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