Effect of β-Substitution and β,β'-Fusion on the Formation of Boron Complexes of Porphycenes.

Boron(III) complexation was investigated in a series of β-substituted porphycenes. Unlike meso -arylporphycenes, these macrocycles undergo a facile complexation reaction. Upon fusion of the β,β'-positions of the porphycene ligand, the complexation resulted in fast insertion of boron, forming the cisoid -B 2 OF 2 complex. However, in the case of the other β-substituted porphycenes, only bis-BF 2 complexes formed. The effect of these substituents on the core geometry and photophysical properties are elaborated here.