Synthesis, anion binding, and photophysiscal properties in polypyrrolic systems

Anion binding has emerged as an important field of study due to the role that anionic species play in nature. As a consequence, considerable effort has been focused on the generation of anion receptors. These receptors have been designed to recognize anions through interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, donor-acceptor, and hydrophofic effects, in order to achieve higher sensitivity and selectivity. Another approach involves ion pair recognition, wherein the anions and cations are bound to the same system. Specifically, receptors bearing both hydrogen bonding donor and cation coordination sites have been of great interest as systems that lead to anion recognition and enhanced anion selectivities. Chapter 1 of this dissertation describes efforts to develop systems on the basis of modified Schiff-base calixpyrroles. This modification was achieved by incorporating a “strap” across the macrocycle to produce the so-called strapped Schiff-base calixpyrroles. The strap bearing amides are known to act as hydrogen bonding donors that can isolate the binding site from the medium. On the other hand, Schiff-base calixpyrroles have been widely studied as multidentate ligands for metal cation coordination. Therefore, the synthetic combination of these two moieties might provide a system wherein an ion pair complex is formed. Strapped Schiff-base calixpyrrole palladium complex were found to bind selectively cyanide anions. The effects of direct substitution on one meso position on the optical and photophysical properties of porphycenes was recently found to be dependent of the electronic properties of the substituten (e.g., electron donor or electron withdrawing group). However, the effects on the electronic and optical properties properties as a result of substitution through a conjugated spacer are as yet unknown. This led to the synthesis of four meso substituted etioporphycenes, which are described in Chapter 2. Here, the substitution through an ethenyl group was stablished by analytical and structural means. This chapter provides of a description of the spectroscopic, structural and voltamperometric features of these compounds. Experimental procedures and characterization data are reported in Chapter 3.