Stepwise syntheses of bisporphyrins, bischlorins, and biscorroles, and of porphyrin-chlorin and porphyrin-corrole heterodimers

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja9541138

The stepwise syntheses and characterization of a series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical bisporphyrins, bischlorins, and biscorroles, and of porphyrin-chlorin and porphyrin-corrole dyads possessing ethylene, phenyl, and stilbene linking units are described. The methodology for synthesis of 10-substituted corroles 2 and their cobalt complexes 9 via a,c-biladiene salts 1 was first developed, and then extended to provide biscorroles (e.g., 4 and 5) linked through the 10-positions with phenyl linker units. Using a similar methodology, phenyl-linked corrole-porphyrin dyads 28 and 30 were also prepared. By way of intermediate phenyl-linked unsymmetrical bisdipyrromethanes, a completely unsymmetrical heterobimetallic bisporphyrin system, 45, was synthesized. Low-valent titanium coupling (McMurry) reactions were used to prepared stilbene-linked bisdipyrromethanes (e.g., 46) which were subsequently transformed into stilbene-linked bisporphyrins (e.g., 48). McMurry cross-coupling reactions of porphyrins bearing p-formylphenyl substituents also afforded an unsymmetrically substituted bisporphyrinylstilbene, 60, as well as the corresponding homodimers 56 and 59. Likewise, McMurry cross-coupling of a p-formylphenyl-substituted porphyrin, 62, with a formylchlorin, 63, afforded a stilbene-linked bisporphyrin, 64, a bischlorin, 66, and a novel porphyrin-chlorin heterodimer, 65. All novel products were characterized by ¹H NMR, UV-vis, and mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. X-ray structural information was also obtained for the zinc/nickel bisporphyrin 45 and for the bis-nickel porphyrin-chlorin 65.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/ja9541138

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 3869-3882
3869
Stepwise Syntheses of Bisporphyrins, Bischlorins, and
Biscorroles, and of Porphyrin-Chlorin and Porphyrin-Corrole
Heterodimers
Roberto Paolesse,*,†,‡ Ravindra K. Pandey,†,§ Timothy P. Forsyth,†
Laurent Jaquinod,† Kevin R. Gerzevske,† Daniel J. Nurco,† Mathias O. Senge,†,
Silvia Licoccia,‡ Tristano Boschi,‡ and Kevin M. Smith*,†
Contribution from the Department of Chemistry, UniVersity of California,
DaVis, California 95616, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche,
UniVersita` di Roma “Tor Vergata”, 00173 Roma, Italy, and Department of Radiation Medicine,
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263
ReceiVed December 7, 1995X
Abstract: The stepwise syntheses and characterization of a series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical bisporphyrins,
bischlorins, and biscorroles, and of porphyrin-chlorin and porphyrin-corrole dyads possessing ethylene, phenyl,
and stilbene linking units are described. The methodology for synthesis of 10-substituted corroles 2 and their cobalt
complexes 9 via a,c-biladiene salts 1 was first developed, and then extended to provide biscorroles (e.g., 4 and 5)
linked through the 10-positions with phenyl linker units. Using a similar methodology, phenyl-linked corrole-
porphyrin dyads 28 and 30 were also prepared. By way of intermediate phenyl-linked unsymmetrical bisdipyr-
romethanes, a completely unsymmetrical heterobimetallic bisporphyrin system, 45, was synthesized. Low-valent
titanium coupling (McMurry) reactions were used to prepared stilbene-linked bisdipyrromethanes (e.g., 46) which
were subsequently transformed into stilbene-linked bisporphyrins (e.g., 48). McMurry cross-coupling reactions of
porphyrins bearing p-formylphenyl substituents also afforded an unsymmetrically substituted bisporphyrinylstilbene,
60, as well as the corresponding homodimers 56 and 59. Likewise, McMurry cross-coupling of a p-formylphenyl-
substituted porphyrin, 62, with a formylchlorin, 63, afforded a stilbene-linked bisporphyrin, 64, a bischlorin, 66, and
a novel porphyrin-chlorin heterodimer, 65. All novel products were characterized by 1H NMR, UV-vis, and mass
spectroscopy and elemental analysis. X-ray structural information was also obtained for the zinc/nickel bisporphyrin
45 and for the bis-nickel porphyrin-chlorin 65.
Introduction
synthetic groups. Additionally, in the natural photosynthetic
reaction centers different reduced tetrapyrroles are present, in
order to minimize the back-reaction following initial charge
separation. Opportunities to mimic this feature have stimulated
interest in heterodimers, where two different macrocycles are
covalently linked.9,10
Many different tetrapyrrolic macrocycles (other than porphy-
rin) have been reported in the literature, each with its own unique
chemistry and spectroscopic signature; in recent times our
Publications of the X-ray data on the bacterial photosynthetic
reaction centers in Rhodopseudomonas Viridis1ab and Rhodo-
bacter spheroides,1b,c and on the integral membrane light-
harvesting complex from Rhodopseudomonas acidophila,1d have
spurred interest in the synthesis of monomeric and dimeric
porphyrin systems which can act as mimics of the reaction
centers and antenna systems in photosynthetic bacteria and
plants.2,3 It has been shown4,5 that close proximity, along with
geometry, orientation, and redox properties, is an intrinsic quality
for efficient energy transfer. In addition, the potential catalytic
properties6-8 of face-to-face bisporphyrin systems, such as the
“PacMan” porphyrins,2a have further increased the interest of
(3) For recent reviews, see: (a) Wasielewski, M. R. Photochem.
Photobiol. 1988, 47, 923. (b) Gust, D.; Moore,T. A. Science 1989, 244,
35. (c) “Symposium in Print” on coValently linked donor-acceptor
photosynthetic model systems; Gust, D., Moore, T. A., Eds. Tetrahedron
1989, 45 (15) and references therein. (d) Wasielewski, M. R.; Johnson, D.
G.; Svec, W. A.; Kersey, K. M.; Minsek, D. W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988,
110, 7219. (e) McClendon, G.; Heiler, D. W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987,
109, 604.
(4) (a) Gust, D.; Moore, T. A.; Moore A. L.; Makings, L. R.; Seely, G.
R.; Ma, X.; Trier, T. T.; Gao, F. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988, 110, 3659. (b)
Moore, T. A.; Gust, D.; Mathis, P.; Mialocq, J. C.; Chachaty, C.; Bensasson,
R. V.; Land, E. J.; Doizi, D.; Liddell, P. A.; Lehman, W. R.; Nemeth, G.
A.; Moore, A. L. Nature (London) 1984, 307, 630.
(5) (a) Osuka, A.; Hiroko, Y; Maruyama, K. Chem Lett. 1990, 1905. (b)
Osuka, A.; Maruyama, K. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1988, 1243.
(6) Metalloporphyrins in Catalytic Oxidations, Sheldon, R. A., Ed.;
Marcel Dekker: New York, 1994.
(7) (a) Collman, J. P.; Wagenknecht, P. S.; Lewis, N. S. J. Am. Chem.
Soc. 1992, 114, 5665. (b) Collman, J. P.; Hutchinson, J. E.; Lopez, M. A.;
Guilard, R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 8066. (c) Collman, J. P.;
Hutchinson, J. E.; Lopez, M. A.; Tabard, A.; Guilard, R.; Soek, W. K.;
Ibers, J. A.; L’Her, M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 9869. (d) Collman, J.
P.; Tyvoll, D. A.; Chng, L.; Fish, H. T. J. Org. Chem. 1995, 60, 1926.
(8) E.g. R. Guilard, R.; Brandes, S.; Tabard, A.; Bouhmaida, N.; Lecomte,
C.; Richard, P.; Latour, J.-M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 10202.
(9) Wasielewski, M. R.; Johnson, D. G.; Niemczyk, M. P.; Gaines, G.
L.; O’Neil, M. P.; Svec, W. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 6482.
* Address correspondence to K.M.S. [Phone: (916) 752-7170. FAX:
(916) 752-8995. E-mail: smith@chem.ucdavis.edu] and R.P.
† University of California.
‡ Universita` di Roma “Tor Vergata”.
§ Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
Permanent address: Institut fu¨r Organische Chemie (WE02), Freie
Universita¨t Berlin, Takustrasse 3, D-14195 Berlin, Germany.
X Abstract published in AdVance ACS Abstracts, April 15, 1996.
(1) (a) Deisenhofer, J.; Epp, O.; Miki, K.; Huber, R.; Michel, H. J. Mol.
Biol. 1984, 180, 385. (b) Allen, J. P.; Feher, G.; Yeates, T. O.; Rees, D. C.;
Deisenhofer, J.; Michel, H.; Huber, R. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1986,
83, 8589. (c) Allen, J. P.; Feher, G. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1984, 81,
4795. (d) McDermott, G.; Prince, S. M.; Freer, A. A.; Hawthorne-Lawless,
A. M.; Papiz, M. Z.; Cogdell, R. J.; Isaacs, N. W. Nature (London) 1995,
374, 517.
(2) (a) Chang, C. K.; Abdalmuhdi, I. J. Org. Chem. 1983, 48, 5388. (b)
Chang, C. K.; Abdalmuhdi, I. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1984, 23, 164.
(c) Sessler, J. L.; Johnson, M. R.; Lin, T. Y.; Creager, S. E. J. Am. Chem.
Soc. 1988, 110, 3659. Sessler, J. L.; Hugdahl, J.; Johnson, M. R. J. Org.
Chem. 1986, 51, 2838. (d) Chang, C. K.; Abdalmuhdi, I. J. Org. Chem.
1985, 50, 411.
0002-7863/96/1518-3869$12.00/0 © 1996 American Chemical Society

3870 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996
Paolesse et al.
interest has focused on corrole. This tetrapyrrole has experi-
enced a revival of interest, after decades of minimal attention
since its first synthesis by Johnson and Kay in 1965.11 Corroles
exhibit both unexpected steric flexibility of the planar conforma-
tion of the macrocycle and the ability to stabilize higher
oxidation states of certain coordinated metals12 compared with
porphyrins. This is presumably due, in part, to the smaller size
of the corrole core compared with porphyrins.
Among bisporphyrin systems, there appear to be relatively
few general and efficient synthetic approaches for the prepara-
tion of unsymmetrical porphyrin dimers. Unsymmetrical por-
phyrin dimers create redox gradients, with one porphyrin subunit
being more easily oxidized or reduced than the other. Perhaps
most impressive is the work of Sessler et al.13 who reported
the synthesis and characteristics of a variety of selectively
monometalated monoquinone-substituted zinc containing oc-
taalkylporphyrin dimers designed to mimic certain key electronic
and structural aspects of the photosynthetic reaction centers.
Maruyama et al.14 reported an approach to unsymmetrical
porphyrin dimers via condensation of an a,c-biladiene dihydro-
bromide with isophthaldehyde (to give a porphyrin bearing a
formyl group), followed by its reaction with 2 equiv of a
2-unsubstituted pyrrole; finally condensation with a dipyr-
romethane gave a low yield of an unsymmetrical bisporphyrin.
Sauvage and co-workers15 have prepared a molecular triad
consisting of a zinc(II)-gold(II)-bisporphyrin connected by a
ruthenium(II) bis(2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridyl) spacer.
have been reported so far in the literature, and moreover, only
meso-phenyl-substituted complexes have been prepared as
peripherally functionalized systems.18
Results and Discussion
Corrole-Containing Systems. Meso-Functionalized Cor-
roles. The base-catalyzed cyclization of 1,19-diunsubstituted
a,c-biladiene dihydrobromide 1a is the method of choice19 for
synthesis of corroles 2, and we used this methodology for the
preparation of our corrole-containing synthetic targets. We
chose first to investigate meso-position functionalization of a,c-
biladienes (and eventually corroles). Subsequently, we ex-
panded our approach to phenyl-linked biscorroles 3, and 4 and
to a phenyl-linked corrole-porphyrin heterodimer system, 5.
Covalently-linked bisporphyrins have yielded much informa-
tion as models for electron transfer in reaction centers as
functions of geometry and energetics. Because both chro-
mophores in these systems are porphyrins, selective excitation
or metalation is often problematic. In natural systems (photo-
synthetic reaction centers) interactions with the surrounding
protein matrix modulate the physical properties of each mac-
rocycle in the array. These differences allow vectorial transport
along an energy gradient down which an electron can travel. In
model systems the difference in physical (optical and redox)
properties between chromophores can be created by linking two
different chromophores. This was elegantly shown by Wasielews-
ki et al.9 who reported a series of porphyrin-chlorin molecules.
Gust et al. have described an ingenious carotenoid-zinc
porphyrin-pyropheophorbide triad,10a and Osuka et al.10b have
prepared a porphyrin-oxochlorin-pyromellitimide triad which
showed a long-lived charge-separated state. In this way either
macrocycle can be selectively excited. In the present paper we
present synthetic methodology for synthesis of biscorrole,
porphyrin-corrole, bisporphyrin, bischlorin, and porphyrin-
chlorin heterodimers. Novel systems possessing the corrole
nucleus present a particular challenge since the synthetic
chemistry of corrole is far from developed16 (compared with
the corresponding porphyrin and chlorin systems).17 To our
knowledge no examples of dimeric systems involving corrole
(10) (a) Gust, D.; Moore, T. A.; Moore, A. L.; Krasnovsky, A. A., Jr.;
Liddell, P. A.; Nicodem, D.; DeGraziano, J. M.; Kerrigan, P.; Makings, L.
R.; Pessiki, P. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 5684. (b) Osuka, A; Marumo,
S.; Maruyama, K.; Mataga N. Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1995, 68, 262.
(11) Johnson, A. W.; Kay, I. T. J. Chem. Soc. C 1965, 1620.
(12) Vogel, E.; Will, S.; Schultz, T. A.; Neumann, L.; Lex, J.; Bill, E.;
Trautwein, A. X.; Wieghardt, K. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1994, 33,
731.
(13) Sessler, J. L.; Johnson, M. R.; Creager, S. F.; Fettinger, J. C.; Ibers,
J. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 9310.
(14) Maruyama, K.; Nagata, T.; Ono, N.; Osuka, A. Bull. Chem. Soc.
Jpn. 1989, 62, 3167.
Monomeric a,c-biladienes have been synthesized by decar-
boxylation of the corresponding dipyrromethane 6 in trifluoro-
acetic acid followed by reaction with 2-formylpyrrole 7 in
(15) Collin, J. P.; Harriman, A.; Heitz, V.; Odobel, F.; Sauvage, J.-P. J.
Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 5679.
(16) Licoccia, S.; Paolesse, R. Struct. Bonding (Berlin) 1995, 84, 71.
(17) Porphyrins and Metalloporphyrins; Smith, K. M., Ed.; Elsevier:
Amsterdam, 1975.
(18) Paolesse, R.; Liccocia, S.; Bandoli, G.; Dolmella, A.; Boschi, T.
Inorg. Chem. 1994, 33, 1171.
(19) (a) Genokhova, N. S.; Melent’eva, T. A.; Berezowzskii, V. M. Russ.
Chem. ReV. 1980, 49, 1056. (b) Melent’eva, T. A. Russ. Chem. ReV. 1983,
52, 641.

Syntheses of Porphyrin, Chlorin, and Corrole Dimers
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996 3871
methanol. Hydrobromic acid was added to provide good yields
(70-85%) of the corresponding crystalline a,c-biladiene dihy-
drobromides 1. In the case of the reaction of 7 with the
Scheme 1
5-(methoxycarbonyl)dipyrromethane 6b, the formation of the
a,c-biladiene 1b was very slow and the yield was lower than
for the other a,c-biladienes. Spectrophotometry showed almost
immediate formation of a tripyrrene species, 8, followed by a
slow addition reaction of the second formylpyrrole presumably
to give 1b. This unusual observation is possibly due to the
electron-withdrawing nature of the meso-substituent. Cycliza-
tions of the a,c-biladiene hydrobromides 1 to give corroles 2
were carried out in methanol (containing sodium acetate to
catalyze the ring closure);20 the presence of the meso-substituents
did not affect the yields in the reactions, which were comparable,
if not higher than, with those reported in the literature.21-23 The
product corroles 2 were usually transformed into the corre-
sponding (triphenylphosphine)cobalt complexes 9 in order to
No tripyrrene intermediates were observed in the other a,c-
biladiene syntheses, and cyclizations afforded pure corroles. In
the case of the 10-[(methoxycarbonyl)methyl]corrole 9c, the
rigidity of the meso-substituent does not allow free rotation
about the C(10)-C(101) bond because of the steric interaction
1
with the 8- and 12-ethyl substituents; thus, in the H NMR
spectrum, the resonance of the 101-CH2 group is broadened. A
similar phenomenon has been noted in the corresponding
porphyrin.25 In addition we observed a splitting of the 1H NMR
signal attributed to the o-phenyl protons of the PPh3 ligand, as
also observed in (triphenylphosphine)[5,10,15-tris(o-chlorophe-
nyl)-2, 3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octamethylcorrolato]cobalt(III) where
a similar restricted rotation of the meso-phenyl groups induces
the same effect.26 This hypothesis was confirmed by variable
temperature NMR measurements (not shown), in which we
observed thermal interconversion at 323 K, with a coalescence
of these signals. The 10-(2-chloroethyl)corrole complex 9d was
subjected to dehydrohalogenation in pyridine/NaOH (aqueous)
to afford the 10-vinylcorrole complex 9e in good yield.
Biscorroles. Phenyl-linked a,c-biladiene salts 14 and 15 were
synthesized in good yields from the 1,4-bis[bis(3,4-dimeth-
ylpyrryl)methyl]benzenes 16 and 17 and 2-formyl-3,4-dimeth-
ylpyrrole (7). Metal-free biscorroles 3 and 4 were obtained by
cyclization of 14 and 15, respectively, in methanolic solution,
using chloranil as oxidant.
Optical spectra of these biscorrole compounds were similar
to those of an octaalkylcorrole, with no significant modifications
either in the Soret or Q band regions. FAB mass spectra showed
the molecular peak and M2+ peaks. Due to the low solubility
and the significant line-broadening that usually affect metal-
free corroles, we were unable to obtain well-resolved 1H NMR
spectra of these metal-free dimers. In order to overcome these
problems, we synthesized the biscorrole 18, via the bis-a,c-
biladiene 19 using the bisdipyrromethane 16 and 3,4-diethyl-
2-formylpyrrole (20); in this case the 1H NMR spectra strongly
depended on the solvent used. In CDCl3, in fact, we obtained
more resonances than expected for the biscorrole. The visible
spectrum of the solution showed the appearance of a new
absorbance, red shifted to the Soret band of the starting dimer,
that seems to indicate the formation of a monocation of the
avoid the 1H NMR line-broadening which normally affects
corrole free bases.24 In the case of the meso-(methoxycarbonyl)-
1
corrole, the H NMR spectrum of the product unexpectedly
showed the presence of three different resonances in the meso-
proton region. One resonance (9.02 ppm) is assigned to the
expected product 9b, while the other two (9.44 and 8.82 ppm)
are attributed to the cobalt(III) complex 12 of the isomeric
5-(methoxycarbonyl)corrole 13. Production of the unexpected
mixture of meso-substituted corroles 2b + 13 presumably results
from the fact that the very slow formation of the biladiene 1b
permitted the intermediate tripyrrene 8 to undergo tautomeric
equilibrium with 10 (Scheme 1); addition of the second
formylpyrrole 7 would then afford the a,c-biladiene 11, isomeric
with 1b, which upon base-catalyzed cyclization and cobalt
insertion would yield the 5-substituted corrole complex 12.
(20) Dolphin, D.; Johnson, A. W.; Leng, J.; Van den Broek, P. J. Chem.
Soc. C 1966, 880.
(21) Boschi, T.; Licoccia, S.; Paolesse, R.; Tagliatesta, P.; Pelizzi, G.;
Vitali, F. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1990, 463.
(22) Paolesse, R.; Licoccia, S.; Fanciullo, M.; Morgante, E.; Boschi, T.
Inorg. Chim. Acta 1993, 203, 107.
(23) Conlon, M.; Johnson, A. W.; Overend, W. R.; Rajapaksa, D. J.
Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1 1973, 2281.
(24) Broadhurst, M. J.; Grigg, R.; Johnson, A. W. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin
Trans. 1 1972, 1124.
(25) Burns, D. H.; Smith, K. M. J. Chem. Res. S 1990, 6, 178.
(26) Adamian, V. A.; D’Souza, F.; Licoccia, S.; Di Vona, M. L.; Tassoni,
E.; Paolesse, R.; Boschi, T.; Kadish, K. Inorg. Chem. 1995, 34, 532.

3872 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996
Paolesse et al.
corrole ring, probably due to the traces of acid that normally
are present in this solvent. This hypothesis was confirmed by
measuring the spectrum in pyridine, whereupon these additional
resonances disappeared.
1
To avoid problems affecting the H NMR characterization
of free-base corrole dimers, we also synthesized the correspond-
ing (triphenylphosphine)cobalt(III) complexes 21 and 22. The
synthesis of these complexes was performed by cyclization of
the corresponding a,c-biladiene using the same methodology
as in the case of a monomeric corrole, but there was a significant
decrease in the yield of the reaction in the case of the cobalt-
(III) m-phenylbiscorrole, presumably due to instability of the
complex during the purification procedure. As in the case with
metal-free dimers, electronic spectra were similar to those of
monomeric Co(III) corrole complexes, with no significant shifts
of the absorbances. FAB mass spectra revealed the M+ peak
along with a more abundant peak at M+ - PPh3, indicating the
dimethylpyrrole-2-carboxylate (23),27 to give the 5-aryldipyr-
romethane 24. The dipyrromethane-porphyrin 25 was first
obtained by acid-catalyzed condensation of the 1,19-unsubsti-
tuted a,c-biladiene salt 1a with 24. Subsequent hydrolysis and
decarboxylation13 afforded the corresponding dipyrromethane-
porphyrin 26a, which was condensed with 2 equiv of 2-formyl-
3,4-dimethylpyrrole (7) to give the a,c-biladiene-porphyrin unit
27. All attempts to isolate 27 in pure form failed, so in situ
cyclization with chloranil was performed, to afford the
pseudodimer 5 in acceptable yield.
The electronic absorption spectrum of 5 showed superimposed
characteristic absorbances of porphyrin and corrole macrocycles
in the Q band region; the Soret band of the porphyrin
overwhelmed the corresponding absorbance of corrole due to
the larger extinction coefficient of the former. FAB mass
1
lability of the axial ligand. For both complexes, H NMR
spectra showed a single resonance for the meso protons. In
the case of the p-phenylbiscorrole 21, the proton resonances
for the bridging phenyl group were complex, presumably due
to the triphenylphosphine ligands removing the magnetic
degeneracy of these hydrogen atoms which was observed for
the metal-free dimer. The presence of multiple resonances can
be ascribed to the existence of isomers generated by restricted
rotation around the bridging phenyl group; the two triph-
enylphosphine ligands render the two faces of the complex
inequivalent. VT experiments revealed coalescence of the
resonances at 350 K, and the activation energy barrier for the
rotation was calculated to be 68.8 kJ/mol.
Porphyrin-Corroles. A corrole-porphyrin system, 5, was
synthesized by treatment of terephthaldehyde with ethyl 3,4-
(27) Barton, D. H. R.; Zard, S. Z. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1985,
1098.

Syntheses of Porphyrin, Chlorin, and Corrole Dimers
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996 3873
Scheme 2
good yield. In the visible absorption spectrum of the complex,
the absorbances of the corrole moiety were overwhelmed by
the porphyrin bands; the FAB mass spectrum showed the
molecular peak, and as before, a more abundant peak at M+ -
PPh3. In addition, the fragmentation pattern of 30 showed low
abundance peaks attributable to the [Ni porphyrin]+ and [Co
corrole]+ species. In the 1H NMR spectrum of 30, the resonance
of the bridging phenyl group was split due to the presence of
the triphenylphosphine ligand, as observed in the case of the
biscorrole systems.
Non-corrole Bis Macrocyclic Systems. Bisporphyrins.
We sought to establish a general methodology whereby unsym-
metrical bisporphyrins with rigid linkages could be prepared.
Two ways to achieve this goal are (a) the initial preparation of
one porphyrin and further stepwise elaboration to append the
second and (b) a heterocoupling reaction of two intact porphy-
rins. Several approaches using both (a) and (b) will be described
which yield bisporphyrins. We chose to focus on bisporphyrins
with stilbene and phenyl linkages as they have well-defined
geometries. In general, molecules that possess more well-
defined structural relationships between the donor and the
acceptor yield more subtle insights into electron-transfer reac-
tions.28 Symmetrical bisporphyrins bearing a p- or m-phenyl
interporphyrin tether have previously been reported, first by
McClendon and co-workers29 and later by Sessler and co-
workers,2c,13 using terephthaldehyde or isophthaldehyde as
interporphyrin linking units.
We first attempted the synthesis of the completely unsym-
metrical monometalated bisporphyrin dimer 31 (Schemes 2 and
3). The unsymmetrical bisdipyrromethane dimer intermediate
32, containing both benzyl and ethyl ester protecting groups,
was prepared as the key intermediate (Scheme 2). Thus, the
linking unit 33a was first obtained by reduction of commercially
available terephthaldehyde mono(diethyl acetal) (33b) using
spectra showed the molecular peak, as well as the corresponding
porphyrin and corrole fragments. Yet again, the low solubility
and the broadening of the resonances attributable to the corrole
1
moiety in 5 did not permit us to obtain a suitable H NMR
spectrum of this bis system. Also in this case, the synthesis of
the tetraethyltetramethylcorrole-porphyrin dimer 28 (from 26
and 2 equiv of 20 to give 28, followed by corrole ring
cyclization) allowed us to obtain a well-resolved 1H NMR
spectrum, where the resonances attributable to both fragments
could be distinguished. In 28 the meso-protons were observed
as a 2:1:2 pattern, with chemical shifts similar to those of the
corresponding monomeric macrocycles, and the bridging phenyl
group protons were apparent as a singlet, similar to the case of
the corresponding homobiscorroles.
The successful synthesis of the porphyrin-corrole pseudodimer
28 led us to prepare a heterobimetallic complex. The porphy-
rin-dipyrromethane 26 was metalated with nickel(II) (to give
26b), and the resulting complex was condensed with 2 equiv
of 2-formyl-3,4-diethylpyrrole (20); formation of the porphyrin-
a,c-biladiene 29 was monitored by spectrophotometry. When
the reaction was complete, addition of cobalt(II) acetate,
triphenylphosphine, and sodium acetate to 30 afforded the
corresponding Ni(II) porphyrin-Co(III) corrole complex 30 in
(28) (a) Wasielewski, M. R. Chem. ReV. 1992, 435. (b) Kurreck, H.;
Huber, M. Angew. Chem., Intl. Ed. Engl. 1995, 34, 849.
(29) Heiler, D.; McClendon, G. L.; Rogalskyj, P. J. Am. Chem. Soc.
1987, 109, 604.

3874 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996
Paolesse et al.
Scheme 3
nant.35 Treatment of 40 with Ni(acac)2 in refluxing o-xylene
produced the corresponding metal complex 42, which was
subjected to hydrolysis by refluxing with ethylene glycol/KOH13
to give 43, and then condensed with diformyldipyrromethane
44 (MacDonald conditions); the bisporphyrin 31 was treated in
situ with zinc(II) acetate to give 45 in 15% yield. Crystals of
31 suitable for X-ray crystallography could not be obtained,
but the zinc(II) complex 45 did satisfactorily crystallize from
CH2Cl2/MeOH. The molecular structure of 45 is shown in
Figure 1. The compound crystallized with a MeOH molecule
in the axial position of the zinc center [Zn-O1A ) 2.187(6)
Å] and contains another MeOH molecule of solvation. The zinc
center, easily identified by its axial MeOH molecule, shows an
average Zn-N bond length of 2.064(5) Å, and the zinc
porphyrin macrocycle shows only moderate deviations from
planarity with an average deviation of 0.078 Å for the 24
macrocycle atoms from their least-squares plane. The nickel-
(II) porphyrin macrocycle, on the other hand, shows considerable
deviation from planarity with an average deviation of 0.239 Å
from the least-squares plane, typical of the situation found in
other nickel(II) porphyrins. The average Ni-N bond length is
1.920(5) Å. Overall, the zinc(II) and nickel(II) porphyrin
components have structural characteristics similar to those of
related (monomeric) porphyrins.38 The bisporphyrin 45 is not
truly linear, but is more bow-shaped with an angle of 24.3°
between the two 4N planes.
In order to obtain the symmetrical bisdipyrromethane 46,
formyldipyrromethane 47 was dimerized with low-valent tita-
nium under McMurry conditions.39 We have previously shown
that this methodology can also be applied successfully to the
self-condensation of porphyrins bearing formyl substituents.40
Bisdipyrromethane 46 was then converted into the porphyrin
dimer 48 in 18% yield by first refluxing with ethylene glycol/
KOH (to give 49) and then condensing with diformyldipyr-
romethane 50 following the modified41a MacDonald protocol.41b
The structure of 48 was further confirmed and the trans
stereochemistry of the central double bond established by a
preliminary single-crystal X-ray structure (not shown) of the
bisnickel(II) complex 51.42
Bisporphyrins linked by stilbene groups have been previously
reported by Mullen and co-workers.43 In addition Ono et al.44
have prepared a series of bisporphyrins where the number of
stilbene linkers was varied between one and four. As we have
had much success with low-valent titanium coupling reactions
(McMurry) to prepare bisporphyrins,40 we chose to examine
the McMurry coupling of 5-(4-formylphenyl)octaalkylporphy-
rins to form the stilbene-linked systems. Porphyrins 52 and 53
LAH30a or NaBH4. This was condensed with benzyl 3,4-
dimethylpyrrole-2-carboxylate (34)31 to give 35. Reaction with
tetrapropylammonium perruthenate (TPAP) in CH2Cl2/NMO32,33
afforded the 5-(formylphenyl)dipyrromethane 36 which was then
condensed with 2 equiv of pyrrole 37 to give the target
unsymmetrical bisdipyrromethane 32 in 82% yield. Catalytic
debenzylation of 32 gave the bis(dipyrromethanedicarboxylic
acid) 38 in quantitative yield. Further reaction of 38 with
diformyldipyrromethane 3934 gave the porphyrinyldipyrromethane
40 in 29% yield, along with porphyrin 41 as a minor contami-
(35) Interestingly, previous syntheses of 5,15-diphenylporphyrins such
as 41 have usually involved reaction of 2 mol of a dipyrromethane with 2
mol of benzaldehyde.2d,30b,36,37 In this case the approach is reversed, and
involves serendipitous condensation of 2 mol of a 1,9-diformyl-5-aryl-
dipyrromethane.
(36) Gunter, M. J.; Mander, L. N. J. Org. Chem. 1981, 46, 4792.
(37) Young, R.; Chang, C. K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1985, 107, 898.
(38) Scheidt, W. R.; Lee, Y. J. Struct. Bonding (Berlin) 1987, 64, 1.
(39) McMurry, J. E.; Lectka, T.; Rico, J. G. J. Org. Chem. 1989, 54,
3748. McMurry, J. E. Chem. ReV. 1989, 89, 1513.
(40) Vicente, M. G. H.; Smith, K. M. J. Org. Chem. 1991, 56, 4407.
(41) (a) Cavaleiro, J. A. S.; Gonsalves, A. M. d’A. R.; Kenner, G.
W.; Smith, K. M. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1 1974, 1771. (b) Arsenault,
G. P.; Bullock, E.; MacDonald, S. F. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1960, 82,
4384.
(30) (a) See citation 13 in ref 30b. (b) Sessler, J. L; Capuano, V. L.
Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1990, 29, 1134.
(31) Smith, K. M.; Kehres, L. A. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1 1983,
2329.
(32) Griffith, W. P.; Ley, S. V.; Whitcombe, G. P.; White, A. D. J. Chem.
Soc., Chem. Commun. 1988, 1625. See also: Aldrichim. Acta 1988, 21,
16.
(33) (a) Pandey, R. K.; Smith, K. M.; Dougherty, T. J. J. Med. Chem.
1990, 33, 2032. (b) Shiau, F.-Y.; Pandey, R. K.; Ramaprasad, S.; Smith,
K. M. J. Org. Chem. 1990, 55, 2190.
(34) Compound 39 was prepared by reaction of pyrrole 37 with 2,5-
dimethoxybenzaldehyde, followed by saponification of the ethyl esters and
double Vilsmeier formylation.
(42) Senge, M. O.; Gerzevske, K. R.; Smith, K. M. Unpublished results.
(43) (a) Cosmo, R.; Kautz, C.; Meerholz, K.; Heinze, J.; Mullen, K.
Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1989, 28, 604. (b) Hammel, C.; Kauzt, C.;
Mullen, K. Chem. Ber. 1990, 123, 1353.
(44) Ono, N.; Tomita, H.; Maruyama, K. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans.
1 1992, 2453.

Syntheses of Porphyrin, Chlorin, and Corrole Dimers
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996 3875
Figure 1. Stereopair showing the molecular structure of 45. Hydrogen atoms and disordered positions have been omitted for clarity. All dihedral
angles between the aryl rings and the mean porphyrin planes are 90°.
by Mullen and co-workers,43 they reported obtaining only the
trans isomer. However, when porphyrin 54 was subjected to
the McMurry coupling conditions [(TiCl3)(DME)1.5, Zn-Cu
couple], two less polar products were obtained in a 6:1 ratio
with respect to the inverse order of chromatographic elution.
1
Both products had a molecular ion at m/z 1356.6 and had H
NMR resonances attributable to a bridging CHdCH group (7.69
and 7.13 ppm, respectively). The predominant more polar
product (λmax ) 404 nm) was assigned structure 56 with the
trans orientation, while the fastest running product (λmax ) 400
nm, in lesser amount) was assigned the cis configuration 57.
Bathochromic shifts for face-to-face porphyrins have been noted
by ourselves46 and others.2b While it was assumed that the
McMurry coupling conditions gave predominantly the trans
configuration about the double bond, we have previously shown
that porphyrin-aldehydes give a 1:1 mixture of cis- and trans-
ethylenebisporphyrins. This arises presumably through a π-π
preassociation of the macrocycles in a transition state or at the
pinacol intermediate stage. A π-π preassociation can also
explain the predominance of the cis-stilbene product arising from
the McMurry coupling of acetophenone.47 When nickel(II)
porphyrin-benzaldehyde 55 was coupled under standard Mc-
Murry conditions, the major product was the porphyrin-benzyl
alcohol 58 due to reduction of the aldehyde. A very small (ca.
8%) amount of the stilbene dimer 59 could be isolated, and
this was assigned the trans configuration. A faster running spot
on TLC (presumably the cis-stilbene dimer) could be seen, but
the amount was too small to be characterized. With the two
homocoupled standards in hand the heterocoupling could now
be attempted. McMurry coupling of porphyrins 54 and 55
yielded, after separation from the homocoupled and other
products 56-59, compound 60 with meso-proton NMR reso-
nances at 9.41, 9.52, and 9.60 ppm in a 2:1:2 ratio. The mass
spectrum confirmed the structural assignment as 60. These
were synthesized according to literature procedures.45 We chose
bisnickel(II) dimers can be easily demetalated by treatment with
first to characterize the corresponding McMurry-coupled ho-
dilute trifluoroacetic acid in CH2Cl2 as shown in the conversion
modimers, before preparing a heterodimer by cross-coupling
of 59 into 61. Work with similar compounds by Sessler et al.13
(from which the homodimers would need to be separated).
has shown that bisporphyrins with hydroquinol dimethyl ether
Nickel(II) was inserted smoothly into the two porphyrins using
groups can be demethylated by treatment with BBr3 and
nickel(II) acetylacetonate in xylenes to generate nickel(II)
oxidized to quinone with DDQ or lead(IV) oxide. In addition
porphyrin-benzaldehydes 54 and 55. When (4-formyl phenyl)-
they have shown, remarkably, that one can selectively insert
porphyrins were previously coupled under McMurry conditions
(46) Senge, M. O.; Gerzevske, K. R.; Vicente, M. G. H.; Forsyth, T. P.;
Smith, K. M. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1993, 32, 750.
(47) Andersson, P. G. Tetrahedron Lett. 1994, 35, 2609.
(45) Sessler, J. L.; Capuano, V. L.; Harriman. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc.
1993, 115, 4618.

3876 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996
Paolesse et al.
longer the main reaction as it was in the coupling of 55. When
the porphyrin was used in excess (2.5 equiv relative to 63), the
amount of porphyrin-chlorin dimer isolated was similar (35%)
but the formation of the alcohol-porphyrin byproduct became
predominant (40%) and no increase in the bisporphyrin yield
was observed. The 3-formylchlorin-e6 trimethyl ester clearly
reacts before the reduction of the formyl group in 62 occurs.
The visible absorption spectrum of 65 (Figure 2) shows a
superposition of the spectra of the porphyrin and the chlorin.
Figure 3 shows the molecular structure of this novel bisnickel
complex 65, and represents the first reported crystal structure
of a porphyrin-chlorin dimer. Crystals were grown by slow
diffusion of n-hexane into a CHCl3 solution of 65. The overall
3-D structure resembles a bowed shape with an angle of 35.7°
between the two 4N planes. An absolute stereochemical
determination based upon anomalous scattering was successful
and further confirmed the absolute stereochemistry of chloro-
phyll-a derivatives. In common with other nickel(II) chlorins,
the chlorin-e6 trimethyl ester macrocycle in 65 adopts a ruffled
conformation with a mean deviation from the least-squares plane
(calculated for the 24 core carbon and nitrogen atoms) of 0.313
Å. In the saturated ring of the chlorin a Câ-Câ bond length of
1.52(2) Å is observed, in good agreement with data from other
chlorin structural determinations. The carbons of the saturated
ring in the chlorin macrocycle have a torsion angle of 26.0°
which is high but falls within the normal range. The Ni-N
zinc into the macrocycle proximal or distal to the quinone by
titrating the bisporphyrin with dilute solutions of zinc(II) acetate.
If titration is attempted at the quinone stage, the zinc insertion
occurs preferentially at the macrocycle distal to the quinone
subunit; conversely if metalation with zinc is done with the
hydroquinone, the zinc is incorporated in the macrocycle
proximal to the hydroquinone. Thus, 61 represents a formal
intermediate in the synthesis of a rigid H2-porphyrin-zinc(II)
porphyrin-quinone triad, which according to Kurreck and
Huber,28b represents a realistic model of the reaction center in
R. Viridis.
Chlorin-Containing Bis Systems. The heterocoupling reac-
tion of porphyrins was also expanded to include chlorin
macrocycles. Porphyrin 62 was prepared using methodology
similar to that employed in the syntheses of 54 and 55. When
a 2:1 mixture of nickel(II) 3-formylchlorin-e6 trimethyl ester
63 and 62 was subjected to the McMurry coupling as described
above, the bisporphyrin 64 (6% yield, based on 63), the
porphyrin-chlorin dimer 65 (41%), and the bischlorin 66 (42%)
were obtained. The alcohol-porphyrin byproduct 67 was also
isolated (14%), but the reduction of the formyl group was no

Syntheses of Porphyrin, Chlorin, and Corrole Dimers
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996 3877
Figure 2. Visible absorption spectra (in CH2Cl2) of (A) nickel(II)
chlorin-chlorin 66, (B) nickel(II) porphyrin-porphyrin 64, and (C)
nickel(II) porphyrin-chlorin 65.
Figure 3. Molecular structure of 65. Hydrogen atoms and disordered
positions have been omitted for clarity.
carried out on 20 cm × 20 cm glass plates coated with Merck G 254
silica gel (2 mm thick). Reactions were monitored by thin layer
chromatography and spectrophotometry, and were carried out under
nitrogen in the dark (aluminum foil). 1H NMR spectra were measured
in CDCl3 solution at 300 MHz using a General Electric QE300
spectrometer, or at 400 MHz using a Bruker AM 400 instrument;
chemical shifts are expressed in parts per million relative to residual
CHCl3 (7.258 ppm). Mass spectra were obtained in Rome using a VG
Quattro spectrometer (FAB) or at the University of California, San
Francisco, Mass Spectrometry Resource. Elemental analyses were
obtained from Mid West Analytical Laboratory, Indianapolis, IN.
Electronic absorption spectra were measured in CH2Cl2 using a Hewlett-
Packard 8450A or a Philips PU8700 spectrophotometer.
8,12-Diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-10-(2-chloroethyl)-a,c-bi-
ladiene Dihydrobromide (1d). 3,7-Diethyl-2,8-dimethyl-5-(2-chlo-
roethyl)-dipyrromethane-1,9-dicarboxylic acid (6d) (200 mg) was
dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid (20 mL) and stirred for 5 min.
2-Formyl-3,4-dimethylpyrrole (7) (130 mg) in MeOH (20 mL) was
added, and the red solution was stirred for 15 min, before addition of
30% HBr in acetic acid (5 mL). After dropwise addition of diethyl
ether (50 mL) the title a,c-biladiene salt precipitated as a dark red
powder (296 mg, 85% yield). Mp: 300 °C. UV-vis: λmax 445 nm
(ꢀ 132 000), 521 (75 000). 1H NMR: δ 13.58 (s, 2 H), 12.60 (s, 2 H),
7.68 (s, 2 H), 7.32 (s, 2 H), 5.60 (br t, 1 H), 3.80, 3.38 (each br t, 2 H),
2.68 (m, 4 H), 2.30 (s, 12 H), 2.05 (s, 6 H), 1.60 (t, 6 H). Anal. Calcd
for C31H41Br2ClN4: C, 55.99; H, 6.21; N, 8.43. Found: C, 56.12; H,
6.11; N, 8.31.
bond lengths for the chlorin macrocycle were 1.953(7) (reduced
ring), 1.928(7), 1.920(7), and 1.911(7) Å, showing the Ni-N
bond length to the reduced ring to be elongated compared with
those bonds to the fully aromatized pyrrole rings. The nickel
etioporphyrin macrocycle portion of 65 adopts a ruffled
conformation with a mean deviation from the least-squares plane
(calculated as above) of 0.244 Å. Finally, the average Ni-N
bond length for the porphyrin macrocycle is 1.941(6) Å.
Treatment of 65 with TFA in CH2Cl2 (1:1) accomplished
selective removal of the nickel from the porphyrin, and produced
the monometalated bis system 68. Since zinc chlorins appear
to be more easily demetalated than nickel chlorins,48 their
utilization to prepare heterometalated porphyrin-chlorin dimers
allows an extension of the scope of the McMurry reaction as it
is applied to tetrapyrrole systems.49 The ethylenic protons in
the porphyrin-chlorin dimers 65 and 68 resonate as a pair of
doublets with a coupling constant of 16.5 Hz, suggesting a trans
configuration about the double bond. The chlorin-chlorin
dimer 66 also adopts a trans configuration.
Experimental Section
Melting points are uncorrected and were measured on a Thomas/
Bristoline microscopic hot stage apparatus. Silica gel 60 (70-230 and
230-400 mesh, Merck) or neutral alumina (Merck; usually Brockmann
Grade III, i.e., deactivated with 6% water) was used for column
chromatography. Preparative scale thin layer chromatography was
8,12-Diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-10-[(methoxycarbonyl)-
methyl]-a,c-biladiene Dihydrobromide (1c). This compound was
similarly prepared in 82% yield from 3,7-diethyl-2,8-dimethyl-5-
[(methoxycarbonyl)methyl]dipyrromethane-1,9-dicarboxylic acid (6c)
and 7. Mp: >300 °C. UV-vis: λmax 444 nm (ꢀ 121 000), 520
(70 400). 1H NMR: δ 13.47 (s, 2 H), 12.85 (s, 2 H), 7.52 (s, 2 H),
7.38 (s, 2 H), 5.46 (br t, 1 H), 5.12 (s, 2 H), 3.66 (s, 3 H), 2.82 (m, 4
H), 2.36 (s, 12 H), 2.00 (s, 6 H), 1.32 (t, 6 H). Anal. Calcd for C32H42-
-
(48) See also ref 9.
(49) However, the coupling has to be carried out50 in the presence of
pyridine to neutralize some chemisorbed HCl formed during the reduction
of TiCl3.
(50) Jaquinod, L.; Pandey, R. K.; Forsyth, T. P.; Nurco, D. J.; Smith, K.
M. Unpublished results.

3878 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996
Paolesse et al.
Br2N4O2: C, 56.98; H, 6.28; N, 8.31. Found: C, 57.03; H, 6.16; N,
8.47.
obtain the vinyl derivative 9e. Crystallization from CH2Cl2/MeOH
afforded purple crystals (74 mg, 77%). Mp: 198-200 °C dec. UV-
vis: λmax 372 nm (ꢀ 61 300), 570 (16 800). 1H NMR: δ 9.01(s, 2 H),
7.72-7.69 (dd, 1 H), 6.99 (m, 3 H), 6.66 (m, 6 H), 5.65 (d, 1 H), 4.85
(d, 1 H), 4.67 (m, 6 H), 3.64 (m, 4 H), 3.17 (s, 12 H), 3.10 (s, 6 H),
1.47 (t, 6 H). Anal. Calcd for C49H48CoN4P: C, 75.16; H, 6.18; N,
7.16. Found: C, 74.91; H, 6.32; N, 6.84.
8,12-Diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-10-(methoxycarbonyl)-
a,c-biladiene Dihydrobromide (1b) and 8,12-Diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,-
18-hexamethyl-5-(methoxycarbonyl)-a,c-biladiene Dihydrobromide
(11). This presumed mixture of compounds (see text) was prepared
as above, from 3,7-diethyl-2,8-dimethyl-5-(methoxycarbonyl)dipyr-
romethane-1,9-dicarboxylic acid (6b), but the reaction needed 24 h to
be complete. Subsequently, diethyl ether was added dropwise to
precipitate the mixture of isomeric biladienes 1b and 11 (in 48% yield).
Anal. Calcd for C31H40Br2N4O2: C, 56.37; H, 6.10; N, 8.48. Found:
C, 56.87; H, 6.24; N, 8.12.
1,4-Bis(2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octamethyl-a,c-biladien-10-yl)ben-
zene Tetrahydrobromide (14). 1,4-Bis[2,2-bis(3,4-dimethylpyrryl)-
methyl]benzene (16) (0.5 g) and 7 (0.51 g) were dissolved in acetic
acid (50 mL), and 2 mL of 30% HBr in acetic acid was added. After
10 min diethyl ether (100 mL) was added dropwise to precipitate the
product as red-green crystals (1.00 g, 78%). UV-vis: λmax 455 nm (ꢀ
57 700), 465 (66 300), 516 (133 600). Anal. Calcd for C60H70Br4N8:
C, 58.93; H, 5.77; N, 9.16. Found: C, 59.01; H, 5.70; N, 9.02.
1,3-Bis(2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octamethyl-a,c-biladien-10-yl)ben-
zene Tetrahydrobromide (15). This compound was prepared, as
described for 14, from 1,3-bis[2,2-bis(3,4-dimethylpyrryl)methyl]ben-
zene (17) in 76% yield. UV-vis: λmax 456 nm (ꢀ 51 900), 467
(50 300), 515 (118 300). Anal. Calcd for C60H70Br4N8: C, 58.93; H,
5.77; N, 9.16. Found: C, 59.33; H, 5.94; N, 8.96.
1,4-Bis(2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octamethylcorrol-10-yl)benzene (3).
Bis-a,c-biladiene tetrahydrobromide 14 (500 mg) was dissolved in
MeOH saturated with NaHCO3, and chloranil (500 mg) was added.
The solution was stirred for 5 min at rt, and then 2 mL of 15% N2H4
in water was added. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum, the
solid was redissolved in CH2Cl2 and chromatographed on neutral
alumina (grade III, CH2Cl2 eluent), and the first red-green band was
collected to give the title corrole dimer. It was crystallized from CH2-
Cl2/hexane (168 mg, 46%). Mp: >300 °C. UV-vis: λmax 400 nm (ꢀ
112 000), 411 (82 000), 542 (24 000), 597 (28 000). FAB-MS: m/z
895 (M+), 447 (M2+). Anal. Calcd for C60H62N8: C, 80.50; H, 6.98;
N, 12.52. Found: C, 80.42; H, 6.86; N, 12.29.
1,3-Bis(2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octamethylcorrol-10-yl)benzene (4).
This biscorrole (mp >300 °C; 140 mg, 39%) was similarly prepared
from 15. UV-vis: λmax 402 nm (ꢀ 105 000), 415 (80 000), 543
(25 000), 598 (26 000). FAB-MS: m/z 895 (M+), 447 (M2+). Anal.
Calcd for C60H62N8: C, 80.50; H, 6.98; N, 12.52. Found: C, 80.31;
H, 7.03; N, 12.19.
1,4-Bis(2,3,17,18-tetraethyl-7,8,12,13-tetramethylcorrol-10-yl)ben-
zene (18). This biscorrole (mp >300 °C; 210 mg, 49%) was similarly
prepared from 19. UV-vis: λmax 403 nm (ꢀ 116 000), 410 (78 000),
1,4-Bis(2,3,17,18-tetraethyl-7,8,12,13-tetramethyl-a,c-biladien-10-
yl)benzene Tetrahydrobromide (19). This compound was prepared
as above starting from 16 and 2-formyl-3,4-diethylpyrrole (20) in 76%
yield. UV-vis: λmax 452 nm (ꢀ 66 300), 461 (51 000), 519 (ꢀ 132 700).
Anal. Calcd for C68H86Br4N8: C, 61.18; H, 6.49; N, 8.39. Found: C,
60.91; H, 6.93; N, 8.15.
2
545 (26 000), 598 (28 000). 1H NMR (C5 H5N): δ 9.42 (s, 4 H), 8.37
(s, 4 H), 3.95-3.80 (q, 16 H), 3.30-2.74 (s, 24 H), 1.70-1.68 (t, 24
H). FAB-MS: m/z 1007 (M+), 504 (M2+). Anal. Calcd for
C68H78N8: C, 81.06; H, 7.81; N, 11.13. Found: C, 80.83; H, 7.25; N,
11.01.
(Triphenylphosphine)[8,12-diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-10-
(2-chloroethyl)corrolato]cobalt(III) (9d). a,c-Biladiene dihydrobro-
mide 1d (200 mg) was added to a solution of cobalt(II) acetate (200
mg), sodium acetate (500 mg), and triphenylphosphine (200 mg) in
boiling MeOH. The mixture was refluxed for 2 h, then the solution
was cooled to room temperature (rt), and the solvent was evaporated
under vacuum. The solid was dissolved in CH2Cl2 and chromato-
graphed on neutral grade III alumina (CH2Cl2 eluent); the first red band
afforded the title compound which was crystallized from CH2Cl2/MeOH
as dark-red crystals (208 mg, 84%). Mp 201-203 °C dec. UV-vis:
1,4-Bis[[(Triphenylphosphino)cobalt(III)]-2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-oc-
tamethylcorrol-10-yl]benzene (21). Bis-a,c-biladiene 14 (500 mg)
was added to a refluxing solution of cobalt(II) acetate (500 mg), sodium
acetate (1 g), and triphenylphosphine (500 mg) in MeOH. The solution
was refluxed for 3 h, the solvent was evaporated under vacuum, the
residue was chromatographed on neutral alumina (grade III; CH2Cl2
elution), and the first red band afforded the title product, recrystallized
from CH2Cl2/hexane (326 mg, 52%). Mp: >300 °C. UV-vis: λmax
2
378 nm (ꢀ 80 400), 576 (21 000). 1H NMR (C6 H6): δ 9.52 (s, 4 H),
λ
max 372 nm (ꢀ 69 200), 567 (14 400). 1H NMR: δ 9.04 (s, 2 H), 7.01
8.18, 8.05 (each br s, 1 H), 7.73 (br s, 2 H), 6.96 (m, 6 H), 6.73 (m, 12
H), 5.25 (m, 12 H), 3.45 (s, 12 H), 3.36 (s, 24 H), 3.12 (s, 12 H).
FAB-MS: m/z 1532 (M+), 1270 (M+ - PPh3). Anal. Calcd for
C96H86Co2N8P2: C, 75.28; H, 5.66; N, 7.32. Found: C, 75.34; H, 5.83;
N, 7.13.
(m, 3 H), 6.67 (m, 6 H), 4.64 (m, 6 H), 4.40 (t, 2 H), 3.69 (m, 4 H),
3.18 (t, 2 H), 3.14 (s, 12 H), 3.09 (s, 6 H), 1.61 (t, 6 H). Anal. Calcd
for C49H49CoClN4P: C, 71.83; H, 6.03; N, 6.84. Found: C, 71.68; H,
5.92; N, 6.99.
(Triphenylphosphine)[8,12-diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-10-
[(methoxycarbonyl)methyl]corrolato]cobalt(III) (9c). This com-
pound was similarly prepared in 79% yield from 1c. Mp: 264-266
°C dec. UV-vis: λmax 369 nm (ꢀ 53 100), 569 (10 500). 1H NMR:
δ 9.02 (s, 2 H), 6.98 (m, 3 H), 6.62 (m, 6 H), 5.32 (s, 2 H), 4.75-4.66
(m, 6 H), 3.75 (s, 3 H), 3.60 (br m, 4 H), 3.14 (s, 12 H), 3.10 (s, 6 H),
1.57 (t, 6 H). Anal. Calcd for C50H50CoN4O2P: C, 72.45; H, 6.08; N,
6.76. Found: C, 72.32; H, 6.10; N, 6.79.
1,3-Bis[[(Triphenylphosphino)cobalt(III)]-2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-oc-
tamethylcorrol-10-yl]benzene (22). This complex (mp > 300 °C; 175
mg, 28% yield) was prepared as above from 15 . UV-vis: λmax 374
nm (ꢀ 81 000), 573 (20 500). 1H NMR: δ 9.12 (s, 4 H), 7.80, 7.62,
7.48 (br m, 4 H), 6.98 (m, 6 H), 6.74 (m 12 H), 4.82 (m, 12 H), 3.24-
3.02 (each s, 48 H). FAB-MS: m/z 1532 (M+), 1270 (M+ - PPh3),
1008 (M+ - 2PPh3). Anal. Calcd for C96H86Co2N8P2: C, 75.28; H,
5.66; N, 7.32. Found: C, 75.12; H, 5.91; N, 7.04.
(Triphenylphosphine)(8,12-diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-10-
(methoxycarbonyl)corrolato)cobalt(III) (9b) and (Triphenylphos-
phine)(8,12-diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-5-(methoxycarbonyl)-
corrolato)cobalt(III) (12). A mixture of 1b and 11 obtained as
previously described (see text) was used as above to synthesize the
corresponding cobalt complexes (53% total yield). UV-vis: λmax 372,
570 nm. 1H NMR: δ 9.440, 9.02, 8.82 (each s, 1 H), 6.59 (m, 3 H),
6.42 (m, 6 H), 4.76 (m, 6 H), 4.05, 4.01 (each s, 3 H), 3.54 (m, 4 H),
3.12-2.93 (s, 18 H), 1.64 (t, 6 H). Anal. Calcd for C49H48CoN4O2P:
C, 72.14; H, 6.05; N, 6.87. Found: C, 72.01; H, 5.97; N, 6.92
(Triphenylphosphine)(8,12-diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-10-
vinylcorrolato)cobalt(III) (9e). Corrole 9d (100 mg) was dissolved
in pyridine (50 mL) and refluxed for 10 min, then 10% NaOH (5 mL)
and water (4 mL) were added, and the solution was further refluxed
for 1.5 h. The mixture was cooled to rt, and 25% acetic acid (4 mL)
was added. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum, and the residue
was chromatographed on neutral alumina (grade V, CH2Cl2 eluent) to
1-(13,17-diethyl-2,3,7,8,12,18-hexamethylporphyrin-5-yl)-4-[1,9-
bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,3,7,8-tetramethyldipyrromethan-5-yl]ben-
zene (25). 8,12-Diethyl-2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-a,c-biladiene salt
1a (500 mg), 1-formyl-4-[1,9-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,3,7,8-tetrameth-
yldipyrromethan-5-yl]benzene (24) (500 mg) and TsOH (1 g) were
dissolved in ethanol and refluxed for 4 h. Sodium acetate was added
to neutralize the solution, and then the solvent was evaporated under
vacuum. The residue was dissolved in CH2Cl2 and chromatographed
on neutral alumina (grade III, CH2Cl2 elution). After elution of traces
of unrecognized porphyrin, a red-violet band afforded 8,12-diethyl-
2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethylcorrole (33 mg, 9%). A second, red-brown
band gave the title product (224 mg, 31%), which was crystallized from
CH2Cl2/MeOH. Mp: 289-291 °C dec. UV-vis: λmax 402 nm (ꢀ
1
235 000), 502 (41 500), 534 (31 200), 570 (30 300), 623 (25 200). H
NMR: δ 10.18 (s, 2 H), 9.98 (s, 1 H), 8.52 (br s, 2 H), 7.82 (dd, 4 H),
5.92 (s, 1 H), 4.36, 4.12 (each q, 4 H), 3.62 , 3.48 , 2.62, 2.48, 2.02

Syntheses of Porphyrin, Chlorin, and Corrole Dimers
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996 3879
(each s, 6 H), 1.62, 1.20 (each t, 6 H), -3.12 (br, 2 H). Anal. Calcd
for C55H62N604: C, 75.83; H, 7.17; N, 9.65. Found: C, 75.72; H, 7.05;
N, 9.58.
acetal 33a30 (1.46 g, 6.94 mmol), benzyl 3,4-dimethylpyrrole-2-
carboxylate (34)31 (3.18 g, 13.9 mmol), and 200 mL of absolute EtOH.
The flask was purged with N2, and TsOH (0.1 g) was added. The
mixture was then heated at reflux for 3 h under N2 with magnetic
stirring. At this time triethylamine (2.0 mL) was added, and the ethanol
was removed in vacuo. The light-yellow solid was recrystallized from
MeOH to yield dipyrromethane 35 (3.00 g, 5.2 mmol, 75% yield).
Mp: 70-72 °C. 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.77 (s, 3 H), 1.90 (br s, 1 H),
2.25 (s, 3 H), 4.68 (s, 2 H), 5.24 (s, 4 H), 5.48 (s, 1 H), 7.17 (dd, 4 H),
8.32 (br s, 2 H). MS: m/z (relative intensity) 576 (15), 348 (20), 91
(100). Anal. Calcd for C36H36N2O5: C, 74.97; H, 6.30; N, 4.86.
Found: C, 74.81; H, 6.40; N, 4.92.
Dibenzyl 5-(4-Formylphenyl)-2,3,7,8-tetramethyldipyrromethane-
1,9-dicarboxylate (36). Tetrapropylammonium perruthenate (TPAP)
(183 mg 0.520 mmol) was added to the dipyrromethane 35 (3.0 g, 5.2
mmol), 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO) (0.73 g, 6.24 mmol), and
CH2Cl2 (50 mL) with stirring at room temperature under N2. The
solution immediately turned a dark-green color, and stirring was
continued for 2 h. It was poured into water and extracted with CH2-
Cl2 (3 × 50 mL). The organic extracts were combined, washed with
water and brine, and dried over Na2SO4. The solvent was removed in
vacuo, and the resulting light-brown solid was purified by column
chromatography using silica gel (CH2Cl2 eluent). The fastest running
band was collected, the solvent was removed in vacuo, and the product
was crystallized from CH2Cl2/MeOH to yield 36 (2.54 g, 4.42 mmol,
85% yield) as an off-white powder. Mp: 147 °C. 1H NMR (CDCl3):
δ 1.80 (s, 3 H), 2.25 (s, 3 H), 5.22 (s, 4 H), 5.63 (s, 1 H), 7.43 (dd, 4
H), 8.63 (br s, 2 H), 9.98 (s, 1 H). MS: m/z (relative intensity) 574
(M+, 20), 346 (15), 91 (100). Anal. Calcd for C36H34N2O5: C, 75.24;
H, 5.96; N, 4.89. Found: C, 74.98; H, 6.10; N, 4.87.
1-[Bis[5-(ethoxycarbonyl)-4-ethyl-3-methyl-2-pyrryl]methyl]-4-
[bis[[(benzyloxy)carbonyl]-4-ethyl-3-methyl-2-pyrryl]methyl]ben-
zene (32). (Formylphenyl)dipyrromethane 36 (650 mg, 1.13 mmol),
pyrrole 3727,51,52 (410 mg, 2.27 mmol), and TsOH (100 mg) were
dissolved in in absolute EtOH (20 mL), and the resulting solution was
refluxed for 2 h. The solution was placed in the refrigerator for 12 h.
The white precipitate was filtered off, washed with cold EtOH, and
dried under vacuum to yield bisdipyrromethane 32 (0.990 mg, 1.07
mmol, 88% yield). Mp: 199-201 °C. 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.11 (t,
6 H), 1.29 (t, 6 H), 1.78 (s, 12 H), 2.25 (s, 6 H), 2.74 (q, 4 H), 4.11 (q,
4 H), 5.24 (s, 4 H), 5.47 (s, 2 H), 7.03 (s, 4 H), 7.34 (m, 10 H), 8.25
(br s, 2 H), 8.39 (br s, 2 H). MS: m/z (relative intensity) 918 (M+,
45), 151 (29), 108 (95). Anal. Calcd for C56H62N4O: C: 73.18; H,
6.80; N, 6.10. Found: C, 72.79; H, 6.83; N, 5.99.
Porphyrin-Dipyrromethane Conjugate 40. The bis unsym-
metrical dipyrromethanedicarboxylic acid 38 (738 mg, 1.01 mmol) was
obtained in quantitative yield after catalytic hydrogenation of dipyr-
romethane 32 (1.05 g) in THF (200 mL) containing 10% palladized
charcoal (150 mg) and triethylamine (1 mL). Compound 38 was mixed
with diformyldipyrromethane 3913 (422 mg, 1.01 mmol) and dissolved
in CH2Cl2 (200 mL). TsOH (20 mg dissolved in 50 mL of MeOH)
was added, and the reaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen for 12
h. A saturated solution of zinc(II) acetate in MeOH (50 mL) was added,
and the reaction mixture was stirred while a gentle stream of air was
bubbled through the solution. The solution was poured into H2O and
extracted with CH2Cl2. The combined organic layers were washed with
NaHCO3, deionized water, and brine before being dried over Na2SO4.
After removal of the solvent in vacuo, the residue so obtained was
dissolved in 15% H2SO4/TFA (15 mL) and stirred at rt for 1 h. The
dark-green solution was cooled to 0 °C and cautiously diluted with
water, then CH2Cl2 was added, the mixture was neutralized with a
saturated solution of NaHCO3, the organic phase was dried over Na2-
SO4, and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue so obtained
was chromatographed on an alumina column (CH2Cl2 eluent). The
appropriate eluents were collected, concentrated, and crystallized from
CH2Cl2/cyclohexane to yield 40 (300 mg, 0.29 mmol, 29% yield) as a
purple solid. Mp: 290-295 °C. UV-vis: λmax 406 nm (ꢀ 258 000),
506 (47 900), 546 (34 000), 574 (35 500), 624 (28 000). 1H NMR
1-(13,17-diethyl-2,3,7,8,12,18-hexamethylporphyrin-5-yl]-4-(2,3,7,8-
tetramethyldipyrromethan-5-yl)benzene (26a). The foregoing diethyl
ester 25 (120 mg) was suspended in diethylene glycol (25 mL)
containing KOH (1 g).13 The mixture was heated at 190 °C under N2
for 2 h and then allowed to cool to rt. The resulting solid was filtered,
washed with H2O, and dried to give the title product (85 mg, 85%).
Mp: 275-277 °C dec. UV-vis: λmax 403 nm (ꢀ 225 000), 502
(40 700), 534 (33 400), 571 (29 600), 623 (24 800). 1H NMR: δ 10.22
(s, 2 H), 9.92 (s, 1 H), 8.46 (br s, 2 H), 7.85 (dd, 4 H), 6.84 (s, 2 H),
4.02 (q, 4 H), 3.53, 3.36, 2.51, 2.24, 2.03 (each s, 6 H), 1.46 (t, 6 H),
-3.06 (br, 2 H). Anal. Calcd for C49H54N6: C, 80.95; H, 7.49; N,
11.56. Found: C, 80.80; H, 7.61; N, 11.31.
1-(13,17-Diethyl-2,3,7,8,12,18-hexamethylporphyrin-5-yl]-4-(2,3,7,8,-
12,13,17,18-octamethylcorrol-10-yl)benzene (5). Porphyrinyldipyr-
romethane 26a (80 mg) and formylpyrrole 7 (25 mg) were dissolved
in MeOH (50 mL), and 30% HBr in acetic acid (0.5 mL) was added
(to give 27). After 15 min NaHCO3 (500 mg) and chloranil were added,
and the mixture was stirred for 15 min. Next, 15% N2H4 in water (1
mL) was added, the solvent evaporated under vacuum, and the residue
chromatographed on grade III neutral alumina. The appropriate fraction
was collected to give the product, which was recrystallized from CH2-
Cl2/hexane to give 27 mg (26%). Mp: >300 °C. UV-vis: λmax 404
nm (ꢀ 354 000), 505 (67 000), 537 (49 100), 573 (50 000), 598 (43 000),
624 (42 000). FAB-MS: m/z 934 (M+). Anal. Calcd for C63H66N8:
C, 80.91; H, 7.11; N, 11.98. Found: C, 80.73; H, 7.43; N, 11.66.
1-(13,17-Diethyl-2,3,7,8,12,18-hexamethylporphyrin-5-yl]-4-(2,3,-
17,18-tetraethyl-7,8,12,13-tetramethylcorrol-10-yl)benzene (28). This
heterodimer (26 mg, 31%; mp > 300 °C) was synthesized from 26a
and 20 as described above. UV-vis: λmax 406 nm (ꢀ 333 100), 505
1
(64 000), 539 (48 300), 571 (52 100), 599 (48 000), 624 (39 000). H
NMR: δ 10.22 (s, 2 H), 9.95 (s, 1 H), 9.58 (s, 2 H), 8.45 (s, 4 H), 4.10
(q, 8 H), 3.95 (q, 4 H), 3.70 , 3.67, 3.46 , 3.08, 2.95 (each s, 6 H),
1.88, 1.80 (each t, 9 H), -2.80 (br, 3 H), -3.00 (br, 2 H). Anal. Calcd
for C67H74N8: C, 81.16; H, 7.53; N, 11.31. Found: C, 80.95; H, 7.92;
N, 11.12.
1-(Nickel(II)-13,17-diethyl-2,3,7,8,12,18-hexamethylporphyrin-5-
yl)-4-(2,3,7,8-tetramethyldipyrromethan-5-yl)benzene (26b). Por-
phyrinyldipyrromethane 26a (100 mg) was dissolved in CHCl3 (50 mL),
and a saturated solution of nickel(II) acetate in MeOH (20 mL) was
added. The mixture was refluxed for 1 h, after which spectrophotometry
showed complete formation of the metal complex. The solvent was
evaporated, and the residue was dissolved in CH2Cl2 and crystallized
by addition of MeOH to afford 96 mg of the title complex (89%). Mp:
176-178 °C dec. UV-vis: λmax 407 nm (ꢀ 164 000), 530 (28 000),
559 (30 100). 1H NMR: δ 10.22 (s, 2 H), 9.95 (s, 1 H), 9.58 (s, 2 H),
8.45 (s, 4 H), 4.10 (q, 8 H), 3.95 (q, 4 H), 3.70 , 3.67, 3.46 , 3.08, 2.95
(each s, 6 H), 1.88, 1.80 (each t, 9 H), -2.80 (br, 3 H), -3.00 (br, 2
H). Anal. Calcd for C49H52N6Ni: C, 75.16; H, 6.70; N, 10.74.
Found: C, 74.95; H, 6.92; N, 10.48.
1-(Nickel(II)-13,17-diethyl-2,3,7,8,12,18-hexamethylporphyrin-5-
yl)-4-[[(triphenylphosphino)cobalt(III)-2,3,17,18-tetraethyl-7,8,12,-
13-tetramethylcorrol-10-yl]benzene (30). The foregoing nickel(II)
porphyrinyldipyrromethane 26b (80 mg) and formylpyrrole 20 (18 mg)
were dissolved in MeOH (50 mL), and 30% HBr in acetic acid (0.5
mL) was added. After 15 min cobalt(II) acetate (200 mg), sodium
acetate (1 g), and triphenylphosphine (200 mg) were added, and the
solution was refluxed for 1 h. The solvent was evaporated under
vacuum, and the residue was chromatographed on neutral alumina
(Brockmann Grade III, CH2Cl2 elution); the first red band afforded the
title product (63 mg, 41%), crystallized from CH2Cl2/hexane. Mp:
>300 °C. UV-vis: λmax 408 nm (ꢀ 288 400), 538 (31 000), 578
(41 200). 1H NMR: δ 9.62 (s, 2 H), 9.50 (s, 1 H), 9.12 (s, 2 H), 8.20,
8.18, 7.28, 7.20 (each d, 1 H), 6.98 (m, 3 H), 6.72 (m, 6 H), 4.79 (m,
6 H), 3.88 (q, 4 H), 3.58 (q, 8 H), 3.53, 3.49, 3.21 (each s, 6 H), 2.91
(s, 12 H), 1.78 (t, 6 H), 1.65 (t, 12 H). FAB-MS: m/z 1366 (M+),
1104 (M+ - PPh3). Anal. Calcd for C85H84CoN8NiP: C, 74.72; H,
6.20; N, 8.20. Found: C, 75.44; H, 5.91; N, 7.81.
(51) Archibald, J. L.; Walker, D. M.; Markovac, A.; Macdonald, S. F.
Can. J. Chem. 1966, 44, 345.
(52) Barton, D. H. R.; Kervagoret, J.; Zard, S. Z. Tetrahedron 1990, 46,
7587.
Dibenzyl 5-[4-(Hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-2,3,7,8-tetramethyldipyr-
romethane-1,9-dicarboxylate (35). To a 500 mL flask were added

3880 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996
Paolesse et al.
(CDCl3): δ -2.85 (br s, 2 H), 1.26 (t, 6 H), 1.45 (t, 6 H), 1.80 (t, 6
H), 2.06 (s, 6 H), 2.57 (s, 6 H), 2.64 (s, 6 H), 2.89 (q, 4 H), 3.56 (s, 6
H), 3.71 (s, 3 H), 3.89 (s, 3 H), 4.05 (q, 4 H), 4.49 (q, 4 H), 5.89 (s,
1 H), 8.49 (s, 2 H), 10.22 (s, 2 H). MS: m/z (relative intensity) for
C65H74N6O6, calcd 1034.6, found 1034.6 (M+, 65), 1035.6 (M + 1,
100). Anal. Calcd for C65H74N6O6: C, 75.41; H, 7.20; N, 8.12.
Found: C, 75.29; H, 7.30; N, 8.12.
1,9-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,8-diethyl-5-(4-formylphenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-
dipyrromethane-1,9-dicarboxylate (47) (2.20 g, 459 mmol) in DME
(40 mL) was added, and the mixture was refluxed for an additional 1
h; TLC indicated complete reaction of starting material. The solution
was cooled to rt before filtering through a bed of Celite and washing
with CH2Cl2 to remove residual metals and salts. The solution turned
a pink-red color (probably through partial dipyrromethene formation).
To remove the colored impurities, a small amount of montmorillonite
K-10 clay was added to the solution and then filtered off. The filtrate
was evaporated under reduced pressure. Crystallization from CH2Cl2/
petroleum ether afforded 1.52 g of yellow-white crystals. The mother
liquor was concentrated, and a second crop (90 mg) was obtained from
CH2Cl2 and MeOH, for a combined yield of 76%. Mp: 126-134 °C.
1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 8.25 (br s, 4 H), 7.47, 7.09 (each d, 4 H), 7.08
(s, 2 H), 5.48 (s, 2 H), 4.25 (q, J ) 7.0 Hz, 8 H), 2.73 (q, J ) 7.5 Hz,
8 H), 1.80 (s, 12 H), 1.31 (t, J ) 7.1 Hz, 12 H), 1.11 (t, J ) 7.5 Hz,
12 H). MS: m/z for C65H68N4O8, calcd 924.5, found 924.6. Anal.
Calcd for C56H68N4O8‚0.5H2O C, 72.00; H, 7.44; N, 6.00. Found: C,
72.07; H, 7.40; N, 6.00.
Nickel(II) Porphyrin-Dipyrromethane Diester Conjugate 42.
Free base porphyrin 40 (275 mg, 0.265 mmol) was dissolved in o-xylene
(50 mL), and nickel(II) acetylacetonate (680 mg, 2.65 mmol) was added.
The mixture was refluxed until spectrophotometry indicated complete
conversion of starting material to product (ca. 4 h). The solvent was
removed in vacuo to yield a dark-red residue which was chromato-
graphed on grade III neutral alumina (CH2Cl2 eluent). The appropriate
fractions were collected, and the solvent was evaporated to yield a red
powder which was crystallized from CH2Cl2/cyclohexane to give 42
(260 mg, 0.239 mmol) in 90% yield. Mp: 164-166 °C. UV-vis:
λmax (CH2Cl2) 406 nm (ꢀ 230 000), 526 (30 800), 562 (34 500). 1H
NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.21 (t, 6 H), 1.40 (t, 6 H), 1.61 (t, 6 H), 1.98 (s, 6
H), 2.30 (s, 6 H), 2.39 (s, 6 H), 2.85 (q, 4 H), 3.25 (s, 6 H), 3.71 (s, 3
H), 3.80 (s, 3 H), 4.36 (q, 4 H), 5.78 (s, 1 H), 6.79 (d, 1 H), 7.03-7.16
(m, 2 H), 8.38 (s, 4 H), 9.42 (s, 2 H). MS: m/z (relative intensity)
1090 (M+, 95), 1091 (M + 1, 100). Anal. Calcd for C65H72N6NiO6:
C, 71.49; H, 6.65; N, 7.70. Found: C, 71.66; H, 6.30; N, 7.89.
Nickel Porphyrin-Diunsubstituted Dipyrromethane Conjugate
43. Porphyrin-dipyrromethane conjugate 42 (240 mg, 0.219 mmol)
was dissolved in THF (100 mL), and NaOH (0.5 g) was added. The
resulting solution was refluxed until all starting material was consumed
(TLC). At this time the condenser was removed, and the THF was
evaporated until a dark-purple viscous oil remained. At this time
ethylene glycol (200 mL) was added, and the material was heated at
180 °C for 1.5 h. The solution was poured into ice-water and extracted
with CH2Cl2 until the organic layer was clear. The combined organic
layers were washed with water and brine and dried over Na2SO4. The
solvent was removed, and the dark residue was chromatographed on a
silica gel column (1:1 CH2Cl2/cyclohexane eluent). The appropriate
fractions were combined, the solvent was removed in vacuo, and the
residue was crystallized from CH2Cl2/MeOH to yield 43 (90 mg, 0.095
mmol, 43% yield) as a dark-purple powder. Mp: 173-174 °C. UV-
vis: λmax 406 nm (ꢀ 133 600), 526 (22 000), 562 (23 300). 1H NMR
(CDCl3): δ 1.25 (t, 6 H), 1.59 (t, 6 H), 2.52 (q, 4 H), 1.98 (s, 6 H),
2.27 (s, 6 H), 2.38 (s, 6 H), 3.22 (s, 6 H), 3.70 (m, 7 H), 3.79 (s, 3 H),
5.78 (s, 1 H), 6.52 (d, 2 H), 6.79 (d, 1 H), 7.53-7.12 (m, 6 H), 9.41
(s, 2 H). MS: m/z (relative intensity) 946 (M+, 100), 945 (30) 838
(25). Anal. Calcd for C59H64N6NiO2‚2H2O: C 72.02; H, 6.97; N, 8.54.
Found: C, 72.34; H, 6.78; N, 8.77.
Zinc/Nickel Heterometalated Bisporphyrin 45. Porphyrin-dipyr-
romethane conjugate 43 (70 mg, 0.074 mmol) and 1,9-diformyldipyr-
romethane 442a (27 mg, 0.074 mmol) were dissolved in CH2Cl2 (50
mL). TsOH (280 mg) was added, and the reaction mixture was stirred
at rt under nitrogen for 12 h. A saturated solution of zinc(II) acetate
in MeOH (15 mL) was added, and the mixture was stirred while a
gentle stream of air was bubbled through the solution. The solution
was poured into water and extracted with CH2Cl2. The combined
organic layers were washed with NaHCO3, deionized H2O, and brine
before being dried over Na2SO4. After removal of the solvent in vacuo,
the residue was chromatographed on a silica gel column (2% MeOH/
CH2Cl2 eluent). The appropriate eluents were collected, concentrated
in vacuo, and crystallized from CH2Cl2/cyclohexane to yield 45 (20
mg, 0.014 mmol, 19% yield) as a dark-red solid. Mp: > 300 °C. UV-
vis: λmax 410 nm (ꢀ 402 000), 536 (59 300), 570 (50 400), 622 (33 900).
1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.64 (m, 6 H), 1.84 (m, 12 H), 2.42 (s, 6 H),
2.48 (s, 6 H), 3.36 (s, 6 H), 3.80 (m, 10 H), 4.08 (m, 8 H), 9.42 (s, 2
H), 10.22 (s, 2 H). FAB-MS: m/z (relative intensity) for C82H82N8-
NiO2Zn, calcd 1332.5 (M+, 100), found 1334.3. Anal. Calcd for
C82H82N8NiO2Zn‚H2O: C 73.74; H, 6.19; N, 8.39. Found C, 73.95;
H, 6.30; N, 7.89.
trans-4,4′-Bis[2,8-diethyl-13,17-bis[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-
3,7,12,18-tetramethylporphyrin-5-yl]stilbene (48). Bisdipyrromethane
46 (393 mg, 0.425 mmol) was suspended in ethylene glycol (32 mL)
with NaOH (673 mg). The solution was heated at 100 °C for 0.5 h to
saponify the ethyl esters before refluxing at 195 °C for decarboxylation13
to afford 49. The reaction was monitored (TLC); mono-, di-, tri-, and
tetra-R-free bisdipyrromethanes were observed. The reaction was
complete after 25 min. During cooling to rt, an orange precipitate
formed, and trans-4,4′-bis(2,8-diethyl-3,7-dimethyldipyrromethan-5-yl)-
stilbene (57) (221 mg, 82% yield) was collected, dried, and used without
further purification. A portion (185.2 mg, 0.291 mmol) of the foregoing
bisdipyrromethane 57 and 1,9-diformyl-3,7-bis[2-(methoxycarbonyl)-
ethyl]-2,8-dimethyldipyrromethane53 (50) (232 mg, 0.576 mmol) were
diluted with CH2Cl2 (105 mL); the suspension was purged with N2 for
5 min before adding a mixture of TsOH (560 mg) in MeOH (20 mL)
(previously purged by bubbling N2 through the solution for 5 min).
The solution was allowed to stir at rt for 18 h before adding DDQ
(200 mg) and refluxing for 25 min. The solution was cooled to rt
before washing several times with water (100 mL) (to eliminate
remaining DDQ), once with aqueous saturated NaHCO3 (100 mL), and
once with brine (100 mL) before drying over anhydrous Na2SO4 and
filtering. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was subjected
to two silica gel columns, eluting with 3% MeOH in CH2Cl2. The
isolated product was crystallized from CH2Cl2/n-hexane to give 72 mg
(18% yield) of the title compound 48. Mp: >300 °C. UV-vis: λmax
408 nm (ꢀ 436 000), 502 (32 800), 536 (11 100), 570 (12 400), 624
(2200). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 10.21 (s, 4 H), 9.99 (s, 2 H), 8.16, 8.10
(each d, 4 H), 7.84 (s, 2 H), 4.43, 3.33 (each t, J ) 7.7 Hz, 8 H), 4.07
(q, J ) 7.2 Hz, 8 H), 3.70 (s, 24 H), 2.63 (s, 12 H), 1.81 (t, J ) 7.7
Hz, 12 H), -3.16, -3.24 (each br s, 2 H). MS: m/z for C86H92N8O8,
calcd 1364.7, found 1365.8. Anal. Calcd for C86H92N8O8‚0.5H2O: C,
75.14; H, 6.82; N, 8.15. Found: C, 75.08; H, 6.84; N, 8.07.
trans-4,4′-Bis[nickel(II)-2,8-diethyl-13,17-bis[2-(methoxycarbon-
yl)ethyl]-3,7,12,18-tetramethylporphyrin-5-yl]stilbene (51). Free
base bisporphyrin 48 (10 mg, 7.34 mmol) was dissolved in o-xylene
(5 mL) with nickel(II)(acac)2 (9.3 mg, 36.2 mmol). The solution was
refluxed for 20 min before cooling to rt. The mixture was diluted with
CH2Cl2 (50 mL) and washed three times with water (50 mL) before
drying over anhydrous Na2SO4 and filtering. After concentration to a
red solid, preparative TLC, eluting with 2% MeOH in CH2Cl2, afforded
the title product. Crystallization from CH2Cl2 and MeOH afforded the
pure dimetalated dimer 51 (8.5 mg, 79% yield), mp >300 °C. UV-
vis: λmax 404 nm (ꢀ 353 000), 522 (23 800), 556 (40 500). 1H NMR
(CDCl3): δ 9.64 (s, 4 H), 9.57 (s, 2 H), 7.94 (m, 8 H), 7.69 (s, 2 H),
4.22, 3.16 (each t, J ) 7.7 Hz, 8 H), 3.81 (q, J ) 8.1 Hz, 8 H), 3.71,
3.46, 2.43 (each s, 12 H), 1.67 (t, J ) 7.5 Hz, 12 H). MS: m/z for
C86H90N8Ni2O8, calcd 1478.6, found 1478.4.
Nickel(II) 5-(4-Formylphenyl)-13,17-dibutyl-2,8-diethyl-3,7,12,-
17-tetramethylporphyrin (54). Porphyrin 5245 (226 mg, 0.325 mmol),
xylenes (50 mL), and nickel(II)(acac)2 (0.834 g, 3.25 mmol) were mixed
trans-4,4′-Bis[1,9-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,8-diethyl-3,7-dimethyl-
dipyrromethan-5-yl]stilbene (46). TiCl3(DME)1.5 (5.31 g, 0.0183 mol)
and Zn-Cu couple (5.09 g) were added to a dry nitrogen filled flask
in a drybox. Dry DME (100 mL) was added, and the mixture was
refluxed under nitrogen for 2 h to activate the Ti° reagent. Diethyl
(53) Clezy, P. S.; Fookes, C. J. R.; Liepa, A. J. Aust. J. Chem. 1972, 25,
1979. Clezy, P. S.; Fookes, C. J. R. Aust. J. Chem. 1977, 30, 217.

Syntheses of Porphyrin, Chlorin, and Corrole Dimers
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996 3881
together. The solution was refluxed until spectrophotometry indicated
the complete conversion of starting material to product (1 h). The
solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was
dissolved in CH2Cl2, washed with water, brine, and dried over Na2-
SO4. The resulting solid was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (15 mL), and MeOH
was added to precipitate the porphyrin 52 (204 mg, 2.93 mmol, 90%
yield) as an orange-red solid. Mp: 280-281 °C. UV-vis: λmax 400
(ꢀ 202 900), 522 (20 700), 556 (31 600). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.24
(t, 6 H), 1.63 (t, 6 H), 2.22 (m, 14 H), 3.41 (2, 6 H), 3.79 (m, 8 H),
8.12 (dd, 4 H), 9.55 (s, 1 H), 9.61 (s, 2 H), 10.32 (s, 1 H). MS: m/z
(relative intensity) 694 (M+, 100), 651 (20). HRMS: m/z for C43H48N4-
NiO, calcd 694.3181, found 694.3220. Anal. Calcd for C43H48N4-
NiO: C, 74.36; H, 6.82; N, 8.30. Found C, 74.40; H, 6.79; N, 8.30.
Nickel(II) 5-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-15-(4-formylphenyl)-2,8,12,-
18-tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethylporphyrin (55). Porphyrin 5345
(410 mg, 0.528 mmol), xylenes (50 mL), and nickel(II)(acac)2 (1.36 g,
5.28 mmol) were mixed together and treated as described for the
synthesis of porphyrin 54 to give the title porphyrin 55 (368 mg, 0.475
mmol, 90% yield) as an orange-red solid. Mp: >300 °C. UV-vis:
λmax 406 nm (ꢀ 209 800), 528 (22 350), 562 (26 200). 1H NMR
(CDCl3): δ 1.55 (overlapping t, 12 H), 2.22 (s, 6 H), 2.41 (s, 6 H),
3.73 (m, 11 H), 3.81 (s, 3 H), 6.80 (d, 1 H), 7.20 (m, 2 H), 8.16 (m,
4 H), 9.44 (s, 2 H), 10.31, (s, 1 H). MS: m/z (relative intensity) 775
(M + 1, 75), 774 (M+, 100). Anal. Calcd for C47H48N4NiO3: C, 72.78;
H, 6.24; N, 7.22. Found: C, 72.72; H, 6.25; N, 7.19.
trans- and cis-4,4′-Bis(nickel(II)-13,17-dibutyl-2,8-diethyl-3,7,12,-
18-tetramethylporphyrin-5-yl)stilbene (56 and 57). TiCl3(DME)1.5
(459 mg, 1.58 mmol), Zn-Cu couple39,40 (445 mg, 6.26 mmol), and
anhydrous DME (20 mL) were mixed under rigorously anhydrous
conditions. The mixture was refluxed for 2 h under argon. At this
time nickel porphyrin 54 (110 mg, 0.167 mmol) was added, and the
mixture was refluxed for 3 h. The solution was cooled and filtered
through a neutral alumina (grade III) plug. The dark-red solution was
chromatographed on a silica gel column (2:1 cyclohexane/CH2Cl2
eluent). The first and second red bands were assigned the cis and trans
product configurations, respectively. These bands were collected, and
the solvent was removed in vacuo. Each of the respective red bands
was dissolved in a minimum volume of CH2Cl2 and precipitated by
the addition of MeOH to yield bisporphyrins 56 and 57.
combustion analysis. The major product in this reaction was determined
to be benzyl alcohol-porphyrin 58 (65 mg, 0.083 mmol; 50% yield).
Mp: >300 °C. UV-vis: λmax 406 nm (ꢀ 211 800), 526 (21 500), 562
(26 400). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.55 (t, 12 H), 2.24 (s, 6 H), 2.34 (s,
6 H) 3.73 (m, 11 H), 3.81 (s, 3 H), 5.01 (s, 2 H), 6.78 (d, 1 H), 7.20
(m, 2 H), 7.68 (m, 4 H), 9.41 (s, 2 H). MS: m/z (relative intensity)
777 (M + 1, 75), 776 (M+, 100). Anal. Calcd for C47H50N4NiO3: C,
72.59; H, 6.48; N, 7.20. Found: C, 72.31; H, 6.30; N, 7.25.
trans-4-(Nickel(II)-13,17-dibutyl-2,8-diethyl-3,7,12,18-tetrameth-
ylporphyrin-5-yl)-4′-[nickel(II)-2,8,12,18-tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tet-
ramethyl-15-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)porphyrin-5-yl]stilbene (60). TiCl3-
(DME)1.5 (918 mg, 3.17 mmol), Zn-Cu couple (890 mg, 12.5 mmol),
anhydrous DME (20 mL), and nickel porphyrins 54 (110 mg, 0.167
mmol) and 55 (129 mg, 0.167 mmol) were mixed under rigorously
anhydrous conditions, and the mixture was refluxed for 3 h. The
solution was cooled and filtered through a grade III neutral alumina
plug. The dark-red solution was chromatographed on silica gel (2:1
cyclohexane/CH2Cl2 eluent). The second major band was collected,
and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The resulting orange-red residue
was crystallized by dissolving it in a minimum amount of CH2Cl2 and
adding MeOH to isolate 60 (25 mg, 0.017 mmol, 20% yield). Mp:
>300 °C. UV-vis: λmax 408 nm (ꢀ 336 000) 524 (64 500), 558
(73 400). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.25 (t, 6 H), 1.65 (m, 22 H), 2.25 (m,
4 H), 2.38 (s, 6 H), 2.40 (s, 6 H), 2.42 (s, 6 H), 3.43 (s, 6 H), 3.72-
3.82 (s + s + overlapping m, 22 H), 6.82 (d,1 H), 7.14-7.26 (m, 2 H)
7.67 (s, 2 H), 7.93 (s, 4 H), 9.41 (s, 2 H), 9.52 (s, 1 H), 9.60 (s, 2 H).
MS: m/z (relative intensity) 1436.6 (M+, 25) 1410.6 (100). Anal. Calcd
for C90H96N8Ni2O2‚2H2O: C, 73.28; H, 6.83; N, 7.60. Found: C, 72.99;
H, 6.99; N, 7.34.
trans-4,4′-Bis[2,8,12,18-tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethyl-15-(2,5-
dimethoxyphenyl)porphyrin-5-yl]stilbene (61). Dinickel bisporphyrin
59 (10 mg, 6.67 mmol) was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (15 mL), and
trifluoroacetic acid (2 mL) was added. This solution was stirred in
the dark under nitrogen. After 15 min, the solution was cooled to 0
°C, poured into ice-H2O, and neutralized by the careful addition of
dilute NH4OH. The organic layer was separated, and the aqueous layer
was washed with CH2Cl2 (3 × 10 mL). The combined organic phases
were dried over Na2SO4 and removed in vacuo, yielding a purple residue
which was crystallized by dissolving the residue in CH2Cl2 and carefully
layering the solution with MeOH to yield 61 (8 mg, 5.69 mmol, 86%
yield) as a dark purple solid. Mp: >300 °C. UV-vis: λmax 412 nm
(ꢀ 396 000), 508 (29 800), 540 (11 100), 574 (10 700), 626 (2700). 1H
NMR (CDCl3): δ -2.34 (br s, 2 H), 1.81 (t, 24 H), 2.67 (s, 24 H),
4.09 (br m, 16 H), 7.15-7.32 (m, 6 H), 7.76 (s, 2 H), 8.04-8.21 (m,
8 H), 10.29 (s, 4 H). MS: m/z for C94H100N8O4, calcd 1405.9, found
1405.8. Anal. Calcd for C94H100N8O4‚H2O: C, 79.18; H, 7.35; N,
7.86. Found: C, 79.08; H, 7.19; N, 8.07.
First Band. cis-Bisporphyrin 57. 11 mg, 8.1 mmol, 5% yield.
Mp: >300 °C. UV-vis: λmax 400 nm (ꢀ 345 000), 520 (46 800), 556
(66 300). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.08 (t, 12 H), 1.51 (t, 12 H), 1.68 (m,
8 H), 2.13 (m, 8 H), 2.43 (s, 12 H), 3.36 (s, 12 H), 3.67 (q, 8 H), 3.82
(t, 8 H), 7.13 (s, 2 H), 7.79 (dd, 8 H), 9.52 (s, 2 H), 9.54 (s, 4 H). MS:
m/z (relative intensity) 1356.6 (M+, 100), 692.3 (40). Anal. Calcd
for C86H96N8Ni2‚3H2O: C, 73.09; H, 7.28; N 7.93. Found: C, 72.86;
H, 7.30; N, 7.87.
Second Band. trans-Bisporphyrin 56. 60 mg, 0.044 mmol, 53%
yield. Mp: >300 °C. UV-vis: λmax 404 nm (ꢀ 318 000), 518
(60 000), 554 (73 300). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.24 (t, 12 H), 1.70 (m,
20 H), 2.17 (m, 8 H), 2.42 (s, 12 H), 3.42 (s, 12 H), 3.84 (m, 16 H),
7.69 (s, 2 H), 7.94 (s, 8 H), 9.55 (s, 2 H), 9.62 (s, 4 H). MS: m/z
(relative intensity) 1356.6 (M+, 100), 692.3 (40). Anal. Calcd for
C86H96N8Ni2‚3H2O: C, 73.09; H, 7.28; N, 7.93. Found: C, 72.79;
H,7.07; N, 7.67.
trans-4,4′-Bis[nickel(II)-2,8,12,18-tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethyl-
15-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)porphyrin-5-yl]stilbene (59) and Nickel-
(II) 2,8,12,18-Tetraethyl-5-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-15-(2,5-
dimethoxyphenyl)-3,7,13,17-tetramethylporphyrin (58). TiCl3(DME)1.5
(459 mg, 1.58 mmol), Zn-Cu couple (445 mg, 6.26 mmol), anhydrous
DME (20 mL), and nickel porphyrin 55 (129 mg, 0.166 mmol) were
refluxed for 3 h as described above in the synthesis of 56 and 57. The
dark-red product solution after passage through an alumina plug was
chromatographed on silica gel (2:1 cyclohexane/CH2Cl2 eluent). The
leading red band was collected, and the solvent was removed in vacuo
to yield a red orange residue which was crystallized from CH2Cl2/
cyclohexane to give 59 (10 mg, 6.61 mmol, 8% yield). Mp: >300
°C. UV-vis: λmax 412 nm (ꢀ 309 000), 528 (41 700), 562 (43 400).
1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.65 (t, 24 H), 2.38 (s, 12 H), 2.40 (s, 12 H),
3.72 (s, 19 H) 3.82 (s, 3 H), 6.80 (d, 2 H), 7.17-7.24 (m, 4 H), 7.66
(s, 2 H), 7.81 (br m, 8 H), 9.43 (s, 4 H). MS: m/z (relative intensity)
1512.9 (M+, 100). There was not enough material available for a
trans-4,4′-Bis(nickel(II)-2,8,12,18-tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tetrameth-
ylporphyrin-5-yl)stilbene (64), 1-[trans-31-(Nickel(II)-chlorin-e6 tri-
methyl ester)]-4-(nickel(II)-2,8,12,18-tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tetrame-
thylporphyrin-5-yl)benzene (65), and trans-1,2-Bis[nickel(II)-2-
chlorin-e6 trimethyl ester]ethene (66). TiCl3(DME)1.5 (1.01 g, 3.5
mmol) and Zn-Cu couple (0.92 g, 12.9 mmol) were added to a dry
flask in a drybox. Anhydrous DME (20 mL) was added to the reaction
flask, and the resulting mixture was refluxed for 2 h under argon. A
powder made up of nickel(II) 3-formylchlorin-e6 trimethyl ester (63)
(165 mg, 0.24 mmol) and nickel(II) 5-(4-formylphenyl)-2,8,12,18-
tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethylporphyrin (62) (75 mg, 0.12 mmol) was
then added, and the mixture was refluxed for 2.5 h. After being cooled
to rt, the reaction mixture was filtered through a plug of neutral alumina
[grade III, CH2Cl2/MeOH (10:1) elution]. The solvents were removed,
and the residue was further purified by chromatography on a silica gel
column [elution with CH2Cl2/cyclohexane (3:1)] to give successively
a red band containing the bisporphyrin along with some impurities, a
brown-green fraction, and a red fraction characterized by 1H NMR and
FAB MS as the nickel(II) 5-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-2,8,12,18-
tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethylporphyrin (67) (10 mg, 14%). Further
elution with CH2Cl2 gave the bischlorin 66 (62 mg, 42%). The brown-
green fraction was rechromatographed on a neutral alumina (grade III)
column [CH2Cl2/cyclohexane (2:1) elution] to yield the mixed dimer
65 which was recrystallized twice from CH2Cl2/cyclohexane to give
30 mg (41% yield). The porphyrin dimer 64 was rechromatographed

3882 J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 118, No. 16, 1996
Paolesse et al.
on a silica gel column [elution with CH2Cl2/cyclohexane (2:3)] and
recrystallized from CH2Cl2/cyclohexane to give 5 mg (6%) of 64. Mp:
261-262 °C; UV-vis: λmax 404 nm (ꢀ 324 000), 520 (35 500), 556
(52 300). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 9.62 (s, 4 H), 9.56 (s, 2 H), 7.93 (s, 8
H), 7.68 (s, 2 H), 3.85 (m, 16 H), 3.43 (s, 12 H), 2.42 (s, 12 H), 1.75
(t, 12H, J ) 7.5 Hz), 1.67 (t, 12H, J ) 7.5 Hz). MS: m/z 1244.5
(100). Anal. Calcd for C72H76N8Ni2O12‚2H2O: C, 73.02; H, 6.60; N,
8.73. Found: C, 72.66; H, 6.51; N, 8.54. The following are data for
porphyrin-chlorin dimer 65. Mp: >330 °C. UV-vis: λmax 402 (ꢀ
240 600), 520 (12 100), 556 (22 400), 650 (43 800). 1H NMR
(CDCl3): δ 9.65 (s, 2 H), 9.58 (s, 1 H), 9.29 (s, 1 H), 9.11 (s, 1 H),
8.49 (d, 1H, J ) 16.5 Hz), 8.10 (d + s, 3 H), 8.02 (d, 2H, J ) 8.1 Hz),
7.71 (d, 1H, J ) 16.5 Hz), 4.81, 4.74, 4.61, 4.55 (ABq, 2H, J ) 18.3
Hz), 4.18, 3.83, 3.69, 3.36, 3.28, 3.22 (each s, 3 H), 4.12 (m, 1 H),
3.88 (m, 8 H), 3.61 (m, 2 H), 3.45, 2.53 (each s, 6 H), 2.52 (m, 2 H),
1.77 (t + sh, 8 H), 1.68 (t, 6H, J ) 7.5 Hz), 1.58 (t + d, 6 H). MS:
m/z 1304.7 (100). Anal. Calcd for C75H78N8Ni2O6: C, 69.03; H, 6.03;
N, 8.52. Found: C, 69.00; H, 5.76; N, 8.17. The following are data
for bischlorin 66. Mp: 284-285 °C. UV-vis: λmax 409 nm (ꢀ
135 600), 500 (10 000), 556 (7700), 672 (63 000). 1H NMR (CDCl3):
δ 9.34, 9.09, 8.38, 8.12 (each s, 2 H), 4.77, 4.56 (ABq, J ) 18.4 Hz,
4 H), 4.16, 3.81, 3.68, 3.39, 3.26, 3.08 (each s, 6 H), 3.58 (q, 4 H),
2.42 (m, 4 H), 1.84 (m, 4 H), 1.61 (m, 12 H). MS: m/z 1361.4 (100).
Anal. Calcd for C72H76N8Ni2O12: C, 63.46; H, 5.62; N, 8.61. Found:
C, 63.38; H, 5.66 ; N, 8.23.
Go¨ttingen, 1990). An absorption correction was applied,54 hydrogen
atoms were included in calculated positions, and the structure was
refined against |F2| (Siemens SHELXTL V. 5.02, 1995). The final
cycle of refinement included 476 independent parameters and converged
with R1 ) 0.089, wR2 ) 0.231 (I > 2σ(I)) and R1 ) 0.1263, wR2 )
0.2855 (all data). The structure suffers from disorder of the side chain
ethyl groups, crystallographically required disorder of the axial MeOH
carbon, and high thermal motion of some side chain atoms.
Compound 65. Dark purple blocks of C75H78N8O6Ni2‚0.70(CHCl3)
were grown from n-hexane/CHCl3, dimensions 0.46 × 0.32 × 0.16
mm, monoclinic C2, a ) 23.019(3) Å, b ) 9.4780(11) Å, c ) 30.798-
(3) Å, â ) 94.528(8)°, V ) 6698.4(13) Å3, Z ) 4, FW ) 1388.43,
F
calc ) 1.412 g‚cm-3, µ ) 2.29 mm-1, Siemens P4 diffractometer with
a rotating anode [λ(Cu KR) ) 1.541 78 Å] at 130(2) K in the θ/2θ
scan mode to 2θmax ) 112°. Of 5619 reflections measured 5074 were
independent, and 4525 had I > 2σ. The structure was solved by direct
methods and refined (based on F2 using all independent data) by full
matrix least-squares methods (Siemens SHELXTL V. 5.02, 1995); the
number of parameters is 872. Hydrogen atom positions were located
by their idealized geometry and refined using a riding model. An
absorption correction was performed using XABS2.54 An absolute
structure determination based upon anomalous scattering was successful.
Final R values were R1 ) 0.0582 (based on observed data) and wR2
) 0.1900 (based on all data).
Acknowledgment. This work was supported by the National
Institutes of Health (Grant HL 22252), the National Science
Foundation (Grant CHE-93-05577), Progretto Bilaterale CNR
(Italy, Grant 95.01178), the Oncologic Foundation of Buffalo,
the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Grants Se 543/2-1 and
2/2), and the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie. Mass spectro-
metric analyses performed by the UCSF Mass Spectrometry
Facility (A. L. Burlingame, Director) were supported by the
Biomedical Research Technology Program of the National
Center for Research Resources, Grant NIH NCRR BRTP 01614.
1-[trans-32-(Nickel(II)-chlorin-e6 trimethyl ester)]-4-(2,8,12,18-
tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethylporphyrin-5-yl)benzene (68). The
porphyrin-chlorin dimer 71 (20 mg) was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (10 mL).
TFA (10 mL) was added, and the mixture was stirred for 3 h at rt.
CH2Cl2 (50 mL) was added, and the mixture was washed with H2O,
saturated aqueous Na2CO3, and H2O again. The organic phase was
dried over anhydrous Na2SO4 and evaporated. The residue was
chromatographed on an alumina column [Brockmann Grade III, elution
with CH2Cl2/cyclohexane (25:15)]. The slower moving band was
collected and evaporated to give 14 mg (73%) of the title compound.
Mp: >330 °C. UV-vis: λmax 406 (ꢀ 238 000), 502 (18 400), 534
(8100), 570 (8700), 648 (41 600). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 10.21 (s, 2
H), 9.99 (s, 1 H), 9.33 (s, 1 H), 9.11 (s, 1 H), 8.56 (d, 1H, J ) 16.5
Hz), 8.21 (m, 4 H), 8.13 (s, 1 H), 7.78 (d, 1H, J ) 16.5 Hz), 4.78, 4.58
(ABq, J ) 18.4 Hz, 2 H), 4.18, 3.83, 3.69, 3.40, 3.28, 3.24 (each s, 3
H), 4.11 (m, 9 H), 3.61 (m, 3 H), 3.68, 2.70 (each s, 6 H), 2.52 (m, 2
H), 1.92 (t + sh, 8 H), 1.82 (t, 6H, J ) 7.5 Hz), 1.64 (t + d, 6 H),
-3.11 (s, 1 H), -3.22 (s, 1 H). MS: m/z 1247.5 (100).
Crystal Structures. Compound 45. C81H82N8NiO3Zn‚CH3OH,
blue parallelepipeds were grown from CH2Cl2/MeOH, crystal size 0.6
× 0.5 × 0.1 mm, monoclinic, space group C2/m, a ) 39.62(2) Å, b )
15.190(6) Å, c ) 12.406(6) Å, â ) 104.83(3)°, V ) 7217(6) Å3, FW
) 1399.68, Fcalc ) 1.288 mg‚m-3, µ ) 0.650 mm-1, 2θmax ) 50°, Mo
KR radiation (λ ) 0.710 73 Å), ω scans, T ) 130 K, 6601 independent
reflections. The structure was solved via a Patterson synthesis followed
by structure expansion (SHELXS-87: Sheldrick, G. M., University of
Supporting Information Available: Tables listing of crystal
data, atomic coordinates, bond lengths and angles, anisotropic
displacement parameters, and hydrogen coordinates for com-
pounds 45 and 65 (25 pages); structure factors for compounds
45 and 65 (27 pages). This material is contained in many
libraries on microfiche, immediately follows this article in the
microfilm version of the journal, can be ordered from the ACS,
and can be downloaded from the Internet; see any current
masthead page for ordering information and Internet access
instructions.
JA9541138
(54) XABS2: Parkin, S. R.; Moezzi, B.; Hope, H. J. Appl. Crystallogr.
1995, 28, 53.