Synthesis and Studies of Di(p-Benzi)Decaphyrin and Di(9,10-Anthracenyl)Decaphyrin

Abstract

Two novel macrocycles, di(p-benzi)decaphyrin and di(9,10-anthracenyl)decaphyrin have been synthesized by condensing appropriate p-phenylene based pentapyrrane or 9,10-anthracenyl based pentapyrrane with pentafluorobenzaldehyde under acid catalyzed conditions. The pentapyrrane precursors were synthesized over sequence of steps starting with commercially available 1,4-dibromobenzene and 9,10-dibromoanthracene. The decaphyrin macrocycles were freely soluble in common organic solvents and characterized and studied by HR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, absorption, cyclic voltammetry and computational techniques. The ¹ H NMR spectra of both decaphyrins were almost similar with very few resonances, indicating their symmetrical nature in solution and the position of chemical shifts of various protons supports nonaromatic nature of decaphyrins. The DFT optimized structures revealed that both decaphyrins showed a doubly twisted figure of eight conformation and the p-phenylene rings in di(p-benzi)decaphyrin and anthracenyl rings in di(9,10-anthracenyl)decaphyrin did not participate in π-delocalization with rest of the respective decaphyrin macrocycle. Both decaphyrins showed sharp intense band in the region of 400-500 nm and a broad band in the region of 600-900 nm. The absorption bands of di(p-benzi)decaphyrin were significantly red shifted compared to di(9,10-anthracenyl)decaphyrin. The protonated derivatives of decaphyrins generated by addition of TFA to the toluene solution of decaphyrins showed distinct changes in colour and absorption spectral bands. The redox studies indicated that both decaphyrins are electron rich and undergo easier oxidations. The electrochemical and computational studies revealed that HOMO-LUMO energy gap was less in di(p-benzi)decaphyrin compared to di(9,10-anthracenyl)decaphyrin supporting the bathochromic shifts of absorption bands in di(p-benzi)decaphyrin. TD-DFT studies were in agreement with the experimental observations.

Keywords: Anthracene.; Decaphyrins; Expanded Carbaporphyrinoids; Figure eight orientation; NIR absorbing macrocycles.