Elisa Viola

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 6. Chemical and redox properties and highly effective photosensitizing activity for singlet oxygen production of penta- and monopalladated complexes in dimethylformamide solution

Tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di-(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinatopalladium(II) [Py 8TPyzPzPd] ( 1) and the corresponding pentapalladated species [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd] ( 2), dissolved (c approximately 10 (-5)-10 (-6) M) in preacidified dimethylformamide ([HCl] approximately 10 (-4) M), behave as potent photosensitizing agents for the production of singlet oxygen, (1)O 2, with Phi Delta values of 0.89 +/- 0.04 and 0.78 +/- 0.05, respectively. The related octacation [(2-Mepy) 8TPyzPzPd] (8+) ( 3), examined under similar experimental conditions, exhibits lower Phi Delta values, that is, 0.29 +/- 0.02 (as an iodide salt) and 0.32 +/- 0.02 (as a chloride salt). In view of the very high values of Phi Delta, the photophysics of complexes 1 and 2 has been studied by means of pump and probe experiments using ns laser pulses at 532 nm as excitation source. Both complexes behave like reverse saturable absorbers at 440 nm because of triplet excited-state absorption. The lifetimes of the triplet excited states are 65 and 96 ns for the penta- and mononuclear species, respectively. Fluorescence quantum yields (Phi f) are approximately 0.1% for both 1 and 2. Such low Phi f values for the two complexes are consistent with the high efficiency of triplet excited-state formation and the measured high yields of (1)O 2. Time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) calculations of the lowest singlet and triplet excited states of the mono- and pentapalladated species help to rationalize the photophysical behavior and the relevant activity of the complexes as photosensitizers for the (1)O 2 ( (1)Delta g) generation.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended thienyl rings: synthesis, UV-visible spectra, electrochemical behavior, and photoactivity for the generation of singlet oxygen.

A series of pyrazinoporphyrazine macrocycles carrying externally appended 2-thienyl rings, represented as [Th(8)TPyzPzM], where Th(8)TPyzPz = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-thienyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato anion and M = Mg(II)(H(2)O), Zn(II), Co(II), Cu(II), or 2H(1), were prepared and isolated as solid air-stable hydrated species. All of the compounds, completely insoluble in water, were characterized by their UV-visible spectra and electrochemical behavior in solutions of dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide, and pyridine. Molecular aggregation occurs at concentrations of ca. 10(-4) M, but monomers are formed in more dilute solutions of 10(-5) M or less. The examined octathienyl compounds [Th(8)TPyzPzM] behave as electron-deficient macrocycles, and UV-visible spectral measurements provide useful information about how the peripheral thienyl rings influence the electronic distribution over the entire macrocyclic framework. Cyclic voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical data confirm the easier reducibility of the compounds as compared to the related phthalocyanine analogues, and the overall redox behavior and thermodynamic potentials for the four stepwise one-electron reductions of the compounds are similar to those of the earlier examined octapyridinated analogues [Py(8)TPyzPzM]. Quantum yields (Φ(Δ)) for the generation of singlet oxygen, (1)O(2), the cytotoxic agent active in photodynamic therapy (PDT), and fluorescence quantum yields (Φ(F)) were measured for the Zn(II) and Mg(II) complexes, [Th(8)TPyzPzZn] and [Th(8)TPyzPzMg(H(2)O)], and the data were compared to those of corresponding octapyridino macrocycles [Py(8)TPyzPzZn] and [Py(8)TPyzPzMg(H(2)O)] and their related octacations [(2-Mepy)(8)TPyzPzZn](8+) and [(2-Mepy)(8)TPyzPzMg(H(2)O)](8+). These measurements were carried out in DMF and in DMF preacidified with HCl (ca. 10(-4) M). All of the examined Zn(II) compounds behave as excellent photosensitizers (Φ(Δ) = 0.4-0.6) both in DMF and DMF/HCl solutions, whereas noticeable fluorescence activity (Φ(F) = 0.36-0.43) in DMF/HCl solutions is shown by the Mg(II) derivatives; these data might provide perspectives for applications in PDT (Zn(II)) and imaging response and diagnosis (Mg(II)).

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with Externally Appended Pyridine Rings. 5. Synthesis, Physicochemical and Theoretical Studies of a Novel Pentanuclear Palladium(II) Complex and Related Mononuclear Species

New palladium(II) complexes of the free-base tetrakis[2,3-(5,6-di-2-pyridylpyrazino)porphyrazine], [Py 8TPyzPzH 2], have been prepared and their physicochemical properties examined. The investigated compounds are the pentanuclear species [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd], the monopalladated complex [Py 8TPyzPzPd], and its corresponding octaiodide salt [(2-Mepy) 8TPyzPzPd](I) 8. All three Pd (II) complexes have a common central pyrazinoporphyrazine core and differ only at the periphery of the macrocycle, where the simple dipyridinopyrazine fragments present in [Py 8TPyzPzPd] bear four PdCl 2 units coordinated at the pyridine N atoms in the pentanuclear complex, [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd], or carry pyridine-N(CH 3) (+) moieties in the iodide of the octacation [(2-Mepy) 8TPyzPzPd] (8+). The structural features of the pentanuclear complex [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd], partly supported by X-ray data and solution (1)H NMR spectra of the [(CN) 2Py 2PyzPdCl 2] precursor, were elucidated through one- and two-dimensional (1)H NMR spectra in solution and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Structural information on the monopalladated complex [Py 8TPyzPzPd] was also obtained from DFT calculations. It was found that in the complex [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd] the peripheral PdCl 2 units adopt a py-py coordination mode and the generated N 2PdCl 2 moieties are directed nearly perpendicular to the plane of the pyrazinoporphyrazine ring, strictly recalling the arrangement found for the palladated precursor [(CN) 2Py 2PyzPdCl 2]. NMR and DFT results consistently indicate that of the four structural isomers predictable for [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd], one having all four N 2PdCl 2 moieties pointing on the same side of the macrocyclic framework (i.e., isomer 4:0, plus the 3:1 and the 2:2-cis and 2:2-trans isomers), the 4:0 isomer ( C 4 v symmetry) is the predominant form present. According to cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical results in pyridine, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and dimethylformamide (DMF), the monopalladated complex [Py 8TPyzPzPd] undergoes four reversible or quasi-reversible one-electron ligand-centered reductions, similar to the behavior also observed for the pentanuclear complex [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd], which shows an additional reduction peak attributable to the presence of PdCl 2. Owing to the electron-withdrawing properties of the PdCl 2 units, the pentanuclear complex is easier to reduce than the mononuclear complex [Py 8TPyzPzPd], some related [Py 8TPyzPzM] complexes, and their porphyrin or porphyrazine analogues, so much so that the corresponding monoanion radical is generated at potentials close to 0.0 V vs SCE in DMSO or DMF. In turn, the monoanion of [(2-Mepy) 8TPyzPzPd](I) 8 is also extremely easy to generate electrochemically. Indeed, because of the eight positively charged N-CH 3 (+) groups in this complex the first reduction occurs at potentials close to +0.10 V in DMSO or DMF. The redox behavior of the mono- and pentapalladated complexes has been rationalized on the basis of a detailed DFT analysis of their ground-state electronic structure.

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Properties of Low-Symmetry Tribenzoporphyrazines with Annulated 6H-1,4-Diazepine Ring

Template co-condensation of 2,3-dicyano-5,7-diphenyl-6H-1,4-diazepine 1 with 10-fold molar excess of phthalodinitrile 2 in the presence of MgII propoxide or butoxide in the corresponding alcohol leads to a mixture of MgII-diazepinoporphyrazines 3–6 from which the low symmetry 3:1 species 3, which contains three annulated benzene and one 1,4-diazepine rings, is separated by column chromatography as the aquo complex, [2,4-diphenyltribenzo[b,g,l][1,4]diazepino[2,3-q]porphyrazinato(aquo)magnesium(ii)], [Bz3DzPzMg(H2O)]. The complex 3 can be demetalated in acetic or trifluoroacetic acids under mild conditions with formation of the corresponding free-base [Bz3DzPzH2] 3a. This latter is also formed by co-cyclotetramerization of the same precursors 1 and 2 in the presence of sodium ethoxide in ethanol or lithium butoxide in butanol followed by demetalation of the intermediate disodium or dilithium salts in acid medium. The constitution and structure of the obtained compounds were established on the basis of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and 1H NMR spectra. The variable temperature 1H NMR measurements provide evidence that in porphyrazines 3 and 3a the 1,4-diazepine ring exists predominantly in the 6H-form over a wide temperature range. The free energy of activation for the inversion of the 1,4-diazepine ring determined for 3 is 45.6 ± 1.7 kJ mol–1. Solution UV-visible spectra measurements in acidic media (CH2Cl2/CF3COOH) provide evidence that the MgII complex 3 is easily protonated on the meso-N atom of the porphyrazine macrocycle followed by slow demetallation with formation of the free base 3a in its neutral form or as a species protonated on the diazepine ring.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 15. Effects of the pyridyl substituents and fused exocyclic rings on the UV-visible spectroscopic properties of Mg(II)-porphyrazines: A combined experimental and DFT/TDDFT study

Two new Mg(II) porphyrazine macrocycles, the octakis(2-pyridyl)porphyrazinato-magnesium(II), [Py8PzMg(H2O)], and the tetrakis-[6,7-di(2-pyridyl)quinoxalino]porphyrazinato-magnesium(II), [Py8QxPzMg(H2O)], were prepared by Mg-template macrocyclization processes, and their general physicochemical properties were examined. The previously reported porphyrazine analog, the tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)-pyrazino]porphyrazinato-magnesium(II), [Py8PyzPzMg(H2O)], has been also considered in the present work. The UV-visible solution spectra in nonaqueous solvents of this triad of externally octapyridinated Mg(II) complexes exhibit the usual profile observed for phthalocyanine and porphyrazine macrocycles, with intense absorptions in the Soret (300-450 nm) and Q band (600-800 nm) regions. It is observed that the Q band maximum sensibly shifts toward the red with peak values at 635 → 658 → 759 nm along the series [Py8PzMg(H2O)], [Py8PyzPzMg(H2O)], and [Py8QxPzMg(H2O)], as the extension of the macrocycle π-system increases. TDDFT calculations of the electronic absorption spectra were performed for the related water-free model compounds [Py8PzMg], [Py8PyzPzMg], and [Py8QxPzMg] to provide an interpretation of the UV-visible spectral changes occurring upon introduction of the pyrazine and quinoxaline rings at the periphery of the Pz macrocycle. To discriminate the electronic effects of the fused exocyclic rings from those of the appended 2-pyridyl rings, the UV-visible spectra of [PzMg] and [PyzPzMg] were also theoretically investigated. The theoretical results prove to agree very well with the experimental data, providing an accurate description of the UV-visible spectra. The observed spectral changes are interpreted on the basis of the electronic structure changes occurring along the series.

Porphyrazines with annulated diazepine rings 4: Synthesis and properties of MgII tetradiazepinoporphyrazine carrying exocyclic styryl fragments

A novel tetradiazepinoporphyrazine MgII complex bearing eight peripheral styryl substituents, [St8TDzPAMg(H2O)] (St = -CH=CHAr, where Ar = 4-methoxyphenyl) was prepared by template cyclotetramerization of the corresponding precursor — 5,7-distyryl substituted diazepino-2,3-dicarbonitrile — in the presence of MgII butoxide in n-butanol. UV-visible and 1H NMR spectral data indicate that the complex is strongly aggregated in non-coordinating solvents (dichloromethane, chloroform, benzene), it is dimeric in pyridine, whereas it is predominantly monomeric in dimethylsulfoxide and dimethylformamide. The fluorescence response is high for solutions in which the monomeric form is prevalent, but it is strongly quenched as the content of the dimer is increased. Evidence was obtained that dimerization occurs due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding between acidic CH2 groups in the diazepine ring (6H form) of one molecule with meso- and/or diazepine N atoms of another molecule, dimerization being also contributed by the presence of chlatrated water. In the presence of fluoride anions the dimer is destroyed with formation of the monomeric species, which is changed to the 1H form upon heating, as indicated by 1H NMR spectra.

Water-soluble carboranyl-phthalocyanines for BNCT. Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro tests of the Zn(ii)-nido-carboranyl-hexylthiophthalocyanine

The zinc(II) complex of the octa-anionic 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis-(7-methyl-7,8-dicarba-nido-undeca-boran-8-yl)hexyl-thio-6,13,20,27-phthalocyanine (nido-[ZnMCHESPc]Cs8, 7) has been obtained in the form of caesium salt through mild deboronation of the neutral precursor, the closo-[ZnMCHESPc] complex, 6, with CsF. 6 has been synthesized, in turn, by heating a finely ground mixture of the appropriate phthalonitrile and zinc(II) acetate at 180.0 °C. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, UV-visible absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy, and their structures were assessed by (1)H, (13)C, (11)B, and two-dimensional homo- and hetero-correlated NMR spectroscopy experiments. 7 showed appreciable solubility in water solution, together with a marked tendency to aggregate. Aggregation of 7 in the hydrotropic medium resulted in significant fluorescence quenching. Instead, fluorescence quantum yields (Φ(F)) of 0.14 and 0.08, and singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ(Δ)) of 0.63 and 0.24 were obtained for 6 and 7, respectively, in a DMF solution. In vitro boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) experiments, employing boron imaging techniques as implemented in qualitative and quantitative neutron autoradiography methods, showed that 7 is capable of increasing the boron concentration of two selected cancerous cell lines, the DHD/K12/TRb of rat colon adenocarcinoma and UMR-106 of rat osteosarcoma, with the large-size Cs(+) counter-ions used to neutralize the negatively charged carborane polyhedra not presenting a significant obstacle to the process. Taken together, BNCT and photophysical measurement results indicated that 7 is potentially suitable for bimodal or multimodal anticancer therapy.

Synthesis and properties of styryl-substituted tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines [St8PyzPzM], M = 2NaI, MgII(H2O) and ZnII

New styryl-substituted tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines [St8PyzPzM] (M = 2NaI, MgII(H2O) and ZnII; St = -CH=CHAr, where Ar = phenyl or cumyl) were prepared by template cyclotetramerization of 5,6-distyrylpyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitriles available from condensation of diaminomaleodinitrile with the substituted cinnamils (StCO)2 obtained from biacetyl and arylaldehydes ArCHO. The new porphyrazine macrocycles were characterized by electronic absorption and emission spectra, which provide evidence of efficient π-interaction of the peripheral styryl moieties with the central pyrazinoporphyrazine framework. The electronic excitation of the stylbenoid chromophore in the near UV-region (400 nm) leads to strong emission of the porphyrazine chromophore near 700 nm, allowing to consider the styryl-substituted porphyrazines as efficient light-harvesting species. Their spectral properties and electrochemical behavior are compared with those of stylbenoid phthalocyanines and peripherally substituted tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 16. A rare class of uncharged water soluble complexes: UV-vis spectral, redox, and photochemical properties

The synthesis and physicochemical characterization of a new class of water soluble homo/heteropentanuclear porphyrazine complexes are described. The investigated compounds, prepared from the previously reported mononuclear species [LM]⋅xH2O (L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl) pyrazino]porphyrazinato dianion; M = MgII(H2O), ZnII, CuII, CoII, PdII, PtII; x = 3–8) in DMSO under mild experimental conditions, are represented as [{Pd(OAc)2}4LM]⋅xH2O (x = 11–22) and bear four Pd(OAc)2 units, each externally coordinated at the vicinal pyridine N atoms of a single dipyridinopyrazine fragment of the porphyrazine macrocycle (py–py coordination). The newly synthesized compounds were examined by IR and magnetic susceptibility measurements in the solid state. Solution UV-visible spectral studies on all of the species were conducted in the low-donor organic solvents pyridine, dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide and in the water medium, whereas electrochemical measurements were performed in these media in the presence of tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (organic solvents) and KCl or NaOAc (water). Data on the photosensitizing activity for the generation of singlet oxygen, 1O2, of interest in photodynamic therapy, were also obtained in dimethylformammide solution on the compounds [{Pd(OAc)2}4LM](M = MgII(H2O), ZnII, PdII, PtII) and the measured ΦΔ values are presented and discussed. NMR spectral data on the complex [{Pd(OAc)2}4LZn] are also included and discussed.

Fluorescent cyclodextrin carriers for a water soluble ZnII pyrazinoporphyrazine octacation with photosensitizer potential

A nitro-benzofurazan-triazolyl carboxymethylated β-cyclodextrin (NBFT-CMβCyD) and an oligomer of carboxymethyl β-cyclodextrin (sodium salt), crosslinked with epichlorohydrin and labeled with rhodaminyl groups (pβCyD-Rh), exhibit very high affinity in aqueous solution for octacationic photosensitizer [(CH3)8LZn]8+ neutralized by I− ions (L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-(pyridiniumyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato dianion). The photosensitizer (PS) forms complexes with 1 : 2 and 2 : 2 CyD:PS stoichiometry, which were characterized as binding constants and UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence properties. The self-association tendency of [(CH3)8LZn]8+, leading to a monomer–dimer equilibrium shift towards the dimer even at very low concentrations (≈10−6 M), is not contrasted by either NBFT-CMβCyD or the pβCyD-Rh oligomer, both of which completely convert the [(CH3)8LZn]8+ monomer fraction to the dimer form in the bound state. Quenching of fluorescence observed in [(CH3)8LZn]8+ upon binding with either hosts is consistent with the conversion of the monomer to the negligibly fluorescent dimer. The complexes formed with the CMβCyD units of the pβCyD-Rh oligomer have average association constants, which are larger by 6–7 orders of magnitude than those with the CMβCyD monomer in the NBFT-labeled derivative.