Electron-transfer and acid-base properties of a two-electron oxidized form of quaterpyrrole that acts as both an electron donor and an acceptor

J Phys Chem A. 2008 Feb 21;112(7):1633-42. doi: 10.1021/jp0766306. Epub 2008 Jan 25.

Abstract

Electron-transfer interconversion between the four-electron oxidized form of a quaterpyrrole (abbreviated as P4 for four pyrroles) and the two-electron oxidized form (P4H2) as well as between P4H2 and its fully reduced form (P4H4) bearing analogous substituents in the alpha- and beta-pyrrolic positions was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry combined with ESR and laser flash photolysis measurements. The two-electron oxidized form, P4H2, acts as both an electron donor and an electron acceptor. The radical cation (P4H2*+) and radical anion (P4H2*-) are both produced by photoinduced electron transfer from dimeric 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide to P4H2, whereas the cation radical form of the compound is also produced by electron-transfer oxidation of P4H2 with [Ru(bpy)3]3+. The ESR spectra of P4H2*+ and P4H2*- were recorded at low temperature and exhibit spin delocalization over all four pyrrole units. Thus, the two-electron oxidized form of the quaterpyrrole (P4H2) displays redox and electronic features analogous to those seen in the case of porphyrins and may be considered as a simple, open-chain model of this well-studied tetrapyrrolic macrocycle. The dynamics of deprotonation from P4H2*+ and disproportionation of P4H2 were examined by laser flash photolysis measurements of photoinduced electron-transfer oxidation and reduction of P4H2, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acids / chemistry*
  • Alkalies / chemistry*
  • Electrochemistry
  • Electron Transport
  • Electrons*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Methylene Chloride / chemistry
  • Models, Chemical
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Pyrroles / chemistry*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Acids
  • Alkalies
  • Pyrroles
  • Methylene Chloride