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The synthesis of amphiphilic pi-conjugated acyclic oligopyrroles and the formation of solvent-assisted aggregates are reported. We have prepared various types of BF(2) complexes of 1,3-dipyrrolylpropane-1,3-diones bearing aryl rings substituted with hydrophilic polyethyleneglycol (PEG) chains, both as acyclic anion receptors and as building subunits for organized architectures based on pi-pi stacking. The formation of supramolecular H-type assemblies of these "amphiphilic" derivatives in aqueous solution was suggested by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and further supported by (1)H NMR and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) analyses of the aqueous solutions suggest that the fabrication of nanoscale network structures and vesicles depends on the peripheral substituents. The H-aggregates in aqueous solution are sensitive to the conditions required for transformation into monomers through replacement with miscible solvents such as alcohols and into J-type aggregates by water evaporation and freeze-drying procedures. However, they are fairly stable and sustainable to anion binding, whereas on CH(2)Cl(2) extraction they are transformed into other assembled modes but remain in the aqueous solution. The metastable states of affairs for distributions between two immiscible solvents are controlled by the orders of solution preparation; this also suggests that the formation of stable assemblies is assisted by water molecules. Furthermore, assemblies in which the stacking modes depend on the aliphatic side chains are also observed in a nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent.

Formation and characterization by single-crystal X-ray analyses of Zn(II) complexes of various dipyrrins (dipyrromethenes) have been reported. Apart from the ordinary [2+1]-type complexes of aryl-substituted dipyrrins, imidazole-substituted derivative yields the "slipped double-decker" [2+2]-type complexes by using Zn(II) halides.

Diol-substitution at a boron unit results in the formation of anion receptors consisting of dipyrrolyl diketones and covalently linked dimers, which exhibit selective binding for dianions with appropriate lengths.

Selective iodination at the alpha-pyrrole positions of dipyrrolyldiketone BF(2) complexes is a key procedure to afford mono- and bisiodinated derivatives as the starting materials of the coupling reactions for various utility molecules and covalently linked oligomer systems. Iodination can also be applied to the phenylene-bridging receptor dimer to obtain the derivatives selectively iodinated at the terminal alpha-pyrrole position(s).

Acyclic anion receptors (BF 2 complexes of dipyrrolyldiketones) with heteroaryl moieties synthesized by using cross-coupling reactions have unique electronic states, as observed in UV/vis absorption spectra. Among heteroaryl-substituted derivatives, a pyrrolyl-substituted receptor exhibits an extremely high affinity for anions in solution.

alpha-Alkyl-substituted dipyrrolyldiketones have exhibited anion binding behaviours with pyrrole rotations, whose rates depend on the alkyl chain lengths.

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."

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.

Dipyrromethanes with meso-pyridyl groups form various hydrogen bonding structures such as dimeric and hexagonal structures and infinite chains. The formation of the self-assembled structures and chains depends on the existence of meso-pyridyl nitrogen in the solid state.

Synthesis and anion binding properties of BF2 complexes of beta-tetraethyl-substituted dipyrrolyldiketones, with and without electron-withdrawing ethoxycarbonyl moieties at pyrrole alpha-positions, are reported. The substituents at pyrrole rings of these acyclic anion receptors are found to play a key role to control not only the polarization of binding sites (NH and CH) but also the relative stabilities of the preorganized conformations and the degrees of sterical repulsion, both of which notably affect the affinities for anions.

Synthesis of di-pyrrolyl-substituted pyrazoles (dpp) and anion binding studies in protonated form are reported. Dpp show [2 + 2] binding of trifluoroacetate in the solid state to afford nanometer- and micrometer-scale architectures.

X-ray analysis of some 1,3-dipyrrolyl-1,3-propanediones synthesized from pyrroles and malonyl chloride derivatives revealed 1D supramolecular networks formed by N-H...O=C interactions in the solid state. Micro- and nanometer-scale morphologies of porous, fibrous, and sheet structures were fabricated by hydrogen-bonding interactions and determined by fine-tuning the substituents and the solvents used. Of the unique polymorphs, ordered 2D lamellar sheet structures of the derivatives with long alkyl chains (C16H33, C14H29, and so on) were constructed by van der Waals hydrophobic effects between aliphatic chains as well as hydrogen bonding.

Covalently linked dipyrrin (dipyrromethene) dimers have afforded nanoscale [2+2]-type neutral coordination macrocycles with a diagonal of about 1.6 nm. Two moieties of the achiral dipyrrin-Zn(II) complex yield the chiral coordination macrocycles as minor species, as well as major meso stereoisomers by the covalent linkages. Tetrahedral Zn(II) coordination by using acyclic ligands enables the dipyrrin-metal complex units to readily rotate and pass through the cavity of the nanorings in order to reveal the transitions between the chiral and achiral isomers.

Thermal reaction of N-confused porphyrin (NCP) with [RhCl(CO)2]2 caused unprecedented formation of tetranuclear rhodium complex Rh4(NCP)2(CO)4 having a gable-porphyrin-type structure, where two porphyrin pi systems were electronically connected by the rhodium cluster.

The halide-binding properties of N-confused porphyrin (NCP, 1) and doubly N-confused porphyrins (trans-N2CP (2), cis-N2CP (3)) were examined in CH2Cl2. In the free-base forms, cis-N2CP (3) showed the highest affinity to each anion (Cl-, Br-, I-) with association constants Ka = 7.8x10(3), 1.9x10(3), and 5.8x10(2) M(-1), respectively. As metal complexes, on the other hand, trans-N2CP 2-Cu exhibited the highest affinity to Cl-, Br-, and I- with Ka = 9.0x10(4), 2.7x10(4), and 1.9x10(3) M(-1), respectively. The corresponding Ka values for cis-N2CP 3-Cu and NCP 1-Cu were about 1/10 and 1/2, respectively, of those of 2-Cu. With the help of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and complementary affinity measurements of a series of trisubstituted N-confused porphyrins, the efficient anion binding of NCPs was attributed to strong hydrogen bonding at the highly polarized NH moieties owing to the electron-deficient C6F5 groups at meso positions as well as the ideally oriented dipole moments and large molecular polarizability. The orientation and magnitude of the dipole moments in NCPs were suggested to be important factors in the differentiation of the affinity for anions.

The beta-fluorinated derivative (2b) of the 1,3-dipyrrolyl-1,3-propanedione BF2 complex has been prepared from 3,4-difluoropyrrole and malonyl chloride, followed by treatment with BF3.OEt2. Despite the simple, acyclic, and neutral structure, 2b exhibits efficient 1:1 binding for anions in CH2Cl2 using the bridging CH and pyrrole NH as interaction sites. The binding constant (Ka) of 2b for acetate (CH3CO(2-)), associating more effectively than anions such as F-, Cl-, Br-, H2PO(4-), and HSO(4-), is estimated to be 9.6 x 10(5) M(-1), approximately 9 times larger than that of the beta-H derivative 2a (1.1 x 10(5) M(-1)). The UV-vis and fluorescence spectral changes of 2b elucidate the effective recognition of an amino acid, such as phenylalanine, in the anionic form; this is also supported by CD spectral changes with mirror images by L- and D-isomers. Furthermore, in the solid state, BF2 complex 2b provides Cl- -bridged supramolecular networks and, in sharp contrast, deprotonated "anionic" self-assembled structures by F- binding.

Phenylethynyl-bridged dipyrrin "dimers" have performed ZnII complexation to give coordination polymers, which provided the fluorescent colloidal spherical objects in solution as well as on the substrate according to the spacer units. Using a mixture of THF and water, unique morphologies, such as bell-shaped and "golf ball"-like architectures, were observed.

Alkyl-substituted derivatives of 1,3-dipyrrolyl-1,3-propanedione BF2 complexes, the efficient receptors for halide and oxoanions with use of bridging CH as well as pyrrole NH, are reported. BF2 complexes with only one pyrrole NH interaction site (2d,e), which exhibit smaller affinities than the basic structure (2b), bind anions tightly, which is inferred by UV/vis absorption spectral changes, compared to the derivatives with an alkyl group at the bridging carbon (2f) or two pyrrole nitrogen sites (2c). With use of 1H NMR and theoretical studies for anion complexes of 2d and 2e, bridging CH (and one beta-CH in 2d) as well as pyrrole NH is found to interact with anions.

1,3-Dipyrrolyl-1,3-propanediones, synthesized from pyrroles and malonyl chloride, form BF2 complexes, which represent a new class of naked-eye sensors for halide and oxoanions. The association mode for the interactions of both the pyrrolyl NH and bridging CH protons with anions was confirmed by 1H NMR chemical shifts in CD2Cl2 and supported by theoretical studies. The binding constants (Ka) were estimated as 8.1x10(4), 2.0x10(3), 3.3x10(2), 1.3x10(4), and 80 M(-1) for F-, Cl-, Br-, H2PO4(-), and HSO4(-) by UV/Vis absorption spectral changes in CH2Cl2. Augmentation of Ka compared with dipyrrolylquinoxaline for H2PO4(-) is much larger than those for other anions. Contrary to other anions, F- quenches the emission almost completely, which was detected by the fluorescence spectrum as well as the naked-eye. In the case of the chloride anion complex, the formation of Cl(-)-bridged 1D networks, in which anion is associated with two BF2 complexes, is observed in the solid state.

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.

The square-planar structure of a diamagnetic Cu(III) complex of tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-substituted N-confused porphyrin was elucidated by X-ray diffraction analysis. The facile interconversion between Cu(II) (1) and Cu(III) (2) complexes was achieved by chemical oxidation/reduction, and the Cu(III)/Cu(II) redox potential was controlled by adding anions through the hydrogen-bonding interaction to the peripheral NH.

In the title compound, C(9)H(7)N(3), the allenyl form of the side chain (-CH=C=CH(2)) is found in preference to the propargyl form (-CH(2)-C[triple-bond]CH). The bond distances between the C atoms in the side chain are 1.303 (3) and 1.289 (3) A.

[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.

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.

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.

Novel quinoxaline derivatives bearing dipyrromethane or tripyrromethane substituents act as improved anion receptors as compared to the unsubstituted dipyrrolylquinoxaline core from which they are derived.

[reaction: see text] A Cu(II) complex of the first aryl-substituted tripyrrinone derivative, 14-benzoyl-5,10-diphenyl-1-oxo-tripyrrinato copper(II) (3-Cu) was obtained in the reaction of N-confused tetraphenylporphyrin (NCTPP) and Cu(OAc)(2) in refluxing toluene, and subsequent treatment with acid afforded a free tripyrrolic ligand that could bind a variety of transition metals.