A contracted doubly N-confused dioxohexaphyrin derivative served as a dinucleating metal ligand for unsymmetrical coordination. The complexation of two palladium(II) cations led to the formation of π-radical species that were persistent in atmospheric air in the presence of moisture. Effective delocalization of an unpaired electron over the hexaphyrin backbone could contribute to the distinct chemical stability.

The smallest and most strained member of a family of π‐conjugated cyclic porphyrin oligomers was synthesized by using pentapyridyl templates based on ferrocene and corannulene. Both templates are effective for directing the synthesis of the butadiyne‐linked cyclic pentamer, despite the fact that the radii of their N5 donor sets are too small by 0.5 Å and 0.9 Å, respectively (from DFT calculations). The five‐porphyrin nanoring exhibits a structured absorption spectrum and its fluorescence extends to 1200 nm, reflecting strong π conjugation and Herzberg–Teller vibronic coupling.

Synthesis, photophysical, electrochemical and DFT studies of donor–acceptor type A2B2 porphyrins and their Zn(ii) and Pd(ii) complexes have been described.

A contracted doubly N-confused dioxohexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.0) complex consisting of two paramagnetic copper metals and open-shell π-radical ligand was synthesized as a new multi-heterospin motif. X-ray spectroscopy supported the divalent character of the inner copper centers, and electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetometric studies suggested the presence of unpaired d electrons strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with π-radicals delocalized on the macrocycle. The 25 π non-innocent dioxohexaphyrin ligand allowed the facile interconversion between antiaromatic 24 π and aromatic 26 π species, respectively, upon redox reactions.

A novel helically twisted π-extended corrorin derivative having two boron dipyrrin (BODIPY) moieties at the periphery, a BODIPY DYEmer (6-BF ) cross-bridged with π-conjugated dipyrrinylidene unit, was synthesized and characterized. The neutral 6-BF is nonfluorescent due to the internal photoinduced charge transfer (CT) character in the excited state as inferred from the femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. However, upon protonation, the CT process is suppressed and the species H6-BF becomes near infrared (IR) emissive. With the aid of rigid helical conformations in 6-BF , the helical isomers (P- and M-forms) were resolved and their chiroptical property was investigated. The distinct circular dichroism (CD) spectral changes of the enantiomers were observed in the presence of acids, which demonstrates that 6-BF can be utilized for potential acid-responsive chiroptical materials.