This article mainly deals with the recent serendipity of novel porphyrin analogs such as N-confused porphyrin. The unique property of this ligand allows the formation of a variety of metal complexes. The important aspect of dynamic flipping (inversion), induced either by confusion or expansion of the macrocyclic core, that leads to the generation of new porphyrinoids, is emphasized. This review concludes with the recent progress on expanded porphyrins bearing confused, inverted, and fused pyrrole rings.

A doubly N-confused porphyrin (N2CP), 2-ethoxy-5,10,15,20-tetrapentafluorophenyl-3,7-diaza-21,22-dicarbaporphyrin, and its Ag(III) and Cu(III) complexes were synthesized for the first time, via an acid-catalyzed condensation of pentafluorobenzaldehyde and meso-pentafluorophenyl-2,3‘-dipyrromethane. 1H NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal the arrangement of the three hydrogens (two CH and one NH) in the core of N2CP both in solution and in the solid state, respectively. The diamagnetic silver(III) complex has a square-planar tetracoordination and short Ag(III)−C bond distances of 1.987(8) and 2.011(8) Å. Similarly, the diamagnetic Cu(III) complex shows a square-planar coordination with Cu(III)−C bond distances of 1.939(3) and 1.934(4) Å. The trianionic nature of the N2CP ligand and a possibility of stabilizing the higher oxidation state by “confusion” are discussed.

Introduction of a BINOL-boron moiety to dipyrrolyldiketones as precursors of anion-responsive π-conjugated molecules results in the formation of a chiral environment in the form of anion-free receptors and anion-binding complexes. Conformation changes by inversion (flipping) of two pyrrole rings as a result of anion binding can control the chiroptical properties of the anion receptors. In particular, appropriate pyrrole β-substituents induce distorted receptor π-planes and, as a result, give larger circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), which can be tuned by chemical stimuli (anions). This is the first example of chemical-stimuli-responsive CPL properties.

Supramolecular gels that change their state or structure in response to anion stimuli have been highlighted. Only a few examples exist of such supramolecular gels, the structures and properties of which can be controlled and modulated by interactions with anions. To form anion-responsive dimensionally-controlled organized structures, the constituent low-molecular-weight gelator molecules must act as anion receptors by possessing one or more of van der Waals interaction units (aliphatic chains), stacking pi planes, hydrogen-bonding sites, and metal-coordination units. This Concept focuses on the gelation and transition behaviors of amide- and urea-based anion-stimulated systems, metal-coordinated systems, and novel acyclic pi-conjugated oligopyrroles that act as "molecular flippers."

A trans type of doubly N-confused isomer of NCP (trans-N2CP) was synthesized via N-confused fused porphyrin (NcFP). The aromatic feature of trans-N2CP due to 18pi electronic system is contrasted to the weak aromaticity of cis-derivative. The solid-state structure of trans-N2CP exhibits pi-stacking column, while the Cu(III) complex shows 1-D rodlike hydrogen bonding chain comparable with the zigzag hydrogen-bonding chain of cis-derivatives.

BF2 complexes of aryl-substituted dipyrrolyldiketones (3a-c, 5a-d) have been synthesized by the condensation of arylpyrroles obtained by Suzuki cross-coupling reactions with malonyl chloride, followed by treatment with BF3.OEt2. The binding constants (Ka11) of the BF2 complexes (3a-c) for various anions (Cl-, Br-, CH3CO2-, H2PO4-, and HSO4-) in CH2Cl2 decrease in the order Ph (3a) > o-tolyl (3b) > 2,6-Me2Ph (3c), possibly because of differences in the planarity and the number of interacting o-CH units at the binding sites. Aryl-substituted receptors exhibit a [1+1] binding mode with Cl- as well as a [2+1] binding mode under conditions of high concentration and low temperature, as suggested by 1H NMR studies in CD2Cl2. These receptors, especially phenyl-substituted (3a) and o-tolyl (3b), exhibit drastic colorimetric and fluorescent changes in the presence of F- due to extended pi-conjugation, as compared to 2,6-dimethylphenyl (3c) and the previously reported derivatives (1a-c). Aryl-substitution at the alpha-positions of pyrrole is an excellent means for the introduction of various substituents at the periphery of the anion receptors. For example, derivatives with long alkoxy chains at 3,4,5-positions of the substituent aryl rings (5b-d) afford emissive gel structures in hydrocarbon solvents, such as octane, based on the stacking of slipped H- and J-aggregates at the core pi-plane. The structural organization of the supramolecular gels was investigated by AFM, SEM, and XRD measurements as well as by considering the solid-state packing of crystalline derivatives. The slow transformation of the gel to the solution phase by the addition of various anions, possibly except for F-, is correlated with the unique properties of these acyclic receptors where inversions of pyrrole rings are required for anion binding. Boron complexes of 1,3-dipyrrolyl-1,3-propanediones with aryl-substituents, as a new class of acyclic anion receptors, have shown efficient binding due to the interacting o-CH units and, in the case of the derivative with long aliphatic chains, afforded the emissive supramolecular organogels using stacking of core pi-planes controlled by external chemical stimuli.

Quinoxaline-bridged porphyrinoids (3), the first macrocycles containing dipyrrolylquinoxaline (DPQ, 1) subunits, were synthesized from the condensation of the diformyl-substituted DPQ derivatives (2) and 1,8-diaminoanthracene. The resulting structures were confirmed by X-ray analyses, which showed encapsulation of CHCl(3) molecules within the columnar channels established by the stacked arrangement of the individual macrocycles. The solution phase interactions with fluoride and dihydrogenphosphate anions were studied in the case of the unsubstituted system 3a in CH(2)Cl(2). The binding affinities for these anions, studied at the tetrabutylammonium salts, were found to be enhanced relative to those of the simple, unsubstituted monomeric DPQ "parent" system (1a), presumably as the result of the combined effects of preorganization and cooperative binding permitted by the pyrrole NH donor groups. Positive homotropic allosteric anion binding was observed and is ascribed to the structurally coupled nature of the two binding cavities present in the macrocycles. Support for this latter contention came from energy minimization studies.

[reaction: see text] N-Confused porphyrin (NCP) bearing pentafluorophenyl groups at meso-positions, which were obtained from N-confused dipyrromethane in ca. 20% yield, can form Cu(II) complex as well as Ag(III), Ni(II), and Pd(II) complexes. The square-planar structures of all these metal complexes were elucidated by X-ray single-crystal analyses.