Substituted porphyrins

Abstract

A series of ortho isomers of meso tetrakis N-alkylpyridylporphyrins (alkyl being methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-hexyl, and n-octyl) and their Mn(III) complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, uv/vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and electrochemistry. An increase in the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chains from 1 to 8 is accompanied by an increase in: (a) lipophilicity measured by the chromatographic retention factor, R; (b) metal-entered redox potential, Efrom +220 to +367 mV vs NHE, and (c) proton dissociation constant, pKfrom 10.9 to 13.2. A linear correlation was found between Eand Rof the Mn(III) porphyrins and between the pKand Rof the metal-free compounds. As the porphyrins become increasingly more lipophilic, the decrease in hydration disfavors the separation of charges, while enhancing the electron-withdrawing effect of the positively charged pyridyl nitrogen atoms. Consequently, the Eincreases linearly with the increase in pK, a trend in porphyrin basicity opposite from the one we previously reported for other water-soluble Mn(III) porphyrins. All of these Mn(III) porphyrins are potent catalysts for superoxide dismutation (disproportionation). Despite the favorable increase of Ewith the increase in chain length, the catalytic rate constant decreases from methyl (log k=7.79) to n-butyl, and then increases such that the n-octyl is as potent an SOD mimic as are the methyl and ethyl compounds. The observed behavior originates from an interplay of hydration and steric effects that modulate electronic effects.