Template Assisted Formation of 32 and 34π Octaphyrins Embedded with Dithienopyrrole Cores: A New Scaffold to Unravel Proton Coupled Redox Switching and (Anti)Aromaticity.

Herein, we report two distinct octaphyrins obtained by the condensation of new dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrrole based tetrapyrrane under two different acidic conditions. Fourfold meso-substituted octaphyrin was the major product when the reaction was performed in the presence of an aryl aldehyde using trifluoroacetic acid. Whereas, the sixfold meso-substituted octaphyrin was obtained when the precursor was condensed with pentafluorobenzaldehyde using para-toluenesulfonic acid. Such a template effect of aryl aldehydes in oxidative coupling reactions is realized for the first time in literature. Experimental and theoretical studies suggested that the oxidized form of fourfold meso-substituted octaphyrin is 32π antiaromatic and undergoes proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) to the protonated form of 34π aromatic congener upon treatment with protic acids. Furthermore, small organic molecules such as alcohols and amines were also found to promote chemical reduction. Single crystal X-ray structure revealed that the aromatic counterpart is highly planar and stabilized by several intermolecular H-bonding and F-F interactions, leading to a large 3D supramolecular arrangement and exhibited colorimetric sensing for fluoride and hydroxide anions. On the other hand, sixfold meso-substituted octaphyrin did not show (anti)aromatic features, PCET or anion sensing, but its intriguing absorption features associated with protonation could make it an ideal candidate for pH-dependent bioimaging.