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Updated: May 30, 2026

Preparation of a Corannulene-functionalized Hexahelicene by Copper(I)-catalyzed Alkyne-azide Cycloaddition of Nonplanar Polyaromatic Units
Published on: September 18, 2016
Amination reaction on copper and germanium β-nitrocorrolates
Manuela Stefanelli1, Federica Mandoj, Marco Mastroianni
1Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
This study demonstrates a novel vicarious nucleophilic substitution on nitrocorroles, yielding amino-nitro derivatives. This reaction offers a new synthetic route for functionalized corroles and reveals unique electrochemical properties influenced by nitro groups.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Coordination Chemistry
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Corroles are macrocyclic compounds with diverse applications in catalysis and medicine.
- Functionalization of corrole rings is crucial for tuning their properties and expanding their utility.
- Previous synthetic methods for modifying corroles have limitations in scope and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel synthetic protocol for the vicarious nucleophilic substitution of β-substituted nitrocorroles.
- To investigate the influence of metal centers (copper and germanium) on the reactivity of nitrocorroles.
- To characterize the electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of the synthesized nitrocorrole derivatives.
Main Methods:
- Modification of a synthetic protocol for β-substituted nitrocorroles using sodium nitrite and silver nitrite.
- Reaction of copper and germanium nitrocorrole complexes with 4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole.
- Electrochemical studies including cyclic voltammetry and thin-layer UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry.
- Single crystal X-ray crystallography for structural characterization.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of β-amino-β-nitro corrole derivatives in moderate to good yields.
- Demonstration of the first vicarious nucleophilic substitution on corrole derivatives.
- Observation of corrole ring expansion to 6-azahemiporphycenes with silver complexes.
- Nitro groups were found to be electron-withdrawing, causing a positive shift in redox potentials and unique electrochemical behavior.
- Structural characterization of a 2-amino-3-nitro derivative via X-ray crystallography.
Conclusions:
- Vicarious nucleophilic substitution provides a versatile method for functionalizing nitrocorroles.
- The choice of metal complex significantly influences the reaction outcome, with silver promoting ring expansion.
- The electronic properties of nitrocorroles can be modulated by substituent groups, impacting their redox behavior.
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