Azulichlorins and Benzocarbachlorins Derived Therefrom.

Acid-catalyzed condensation of azulidipyrrane aldehydes with a dihydrodipyrrin carbaldehyde afforded the first examples of azulichlorins. These macrocyclic products were isolated in a monoprotonated form, and the free bases proved to be somewhat unstable. The monocations were strongly diatropic, and proton NMR spectroscopy showed the internal C-H at ca. -2 ppm. Addition of TFA gave the related dications, but these exhibited significantly reduced aromatic ring currents. Reaction of an azulichlorin with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and KOH in dichloromethane/methanol gave a benzocarbachlorin and two related aldehydes. The UV-vis spectrum for the benzocarbachlorin showed a split Soret band at 414 and 430 nm, together with a strong chlorin-like absorption at 684 nm. The proton NMR spectrum indicated that the carbachlorin is strongly aromatic and the internal C-H was observed at -4.64 ppm. Addition of TFA afforded a C-protonated dication with a significantly increased diatropic ring current. The proton NMR spectrum, NICS calculations, and AICD plots indicated that the system favors a 22π electron delocalization pathway that runs through the fused benzo unit. Addition of TFA to the benzocarbachlorin aldehydes primarily led to the formation of monocations, and the generation of C-protonated dications was no longer favored due to the presence of electron-withdrawing formyl moieties.