Electrochemical, Spectroscopic, and ¹O₂ Sensitization Characteristics of Synthetically Accessible Linear Tetrapyrrole Complexes of Palladium and Platinum

The synthesis, electrochemistry, and photophysical characterization of a 10,10-dimethyl-5,15-bis­(pentafluorophenyl)­biladiene (DMBil1) linear tetrapyrrole supporting Pd^II or Pt^II centers is presented. Both of these nonmacrocyclic tetrapyrrole platforms are robust and easily prepared via modular routes. X-ray diffraction experiments reveal that the Pd­[DMBil1] and Pt­[DMBil1] complexes adopt similar structures and incorporate a single Pd^II and Pt^II center, respectively. Additionally, electrochemical experiments revealed that both Pd­[DMBil1] and Pt­[DMBil1] can undergo two discrete oxidation and reduction processes. Spectroscopic experiments carried out for Pd­[DMBil1] and Pt­[DMBil1] provide further understanding of the electronic structure of these systems. Both complexes strongly absorb light in the UV–visible region, especially in the 350–600 nm range. Both Pd­[DMBil1] and Pt­[DMBil1] are luminescent under a nitrogen atmosphere. Upon photoexcitation of Pd­[DMBil1], two emission bands are observed; fluorescence is detected from ∼500–700 nm and phosphorescence from ∼700–875 nm. Photoexcitation of Pt­[DMBil1] leads only to phosphorescence, presumably due to enhanced intersystem crossing imparted by the heavier Pt^II center. Phosphorescence from both complexes is quenched under air due to energy transfer from the excited triplet state to ground state oxygen. Accordingly, irradiation with light of λ ≥ 500 nm prompts Pd­[DMBil1] and Pt­[DMBil1] to photosensitize the generation of ¹O₂ (singlet oxygen) with impressive quantum yields of 80% and 78%, respectively. The synthetic accessibility of these complexes coupled with their ability to efficiently photosensitize ¹O₂ may make them attractive platforms for development of new agents for photodynamic therapy.