CH/π interactions in metal–porphyrin complexes with pyrrole and chelate rings as hydrogen acceptors

CH/π interactions in metal porphyrinato complexes were studied by analyzing data in crystal structures from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and by quantum chemical calculations. The analysis of the data in the CSD shows that both five-membered pyrrole and six-membered chelate rings form CH/π interactions. The interactions occur more frequently with five-membered rings. The analysis of distances in crystal structures and calculated energies show stronger interactions with six-membered chelate rings, indicating that a larger number of interactions with five-membered rings are not the consequence of stronger interactions, but better accessibility of five-membered pyrrole rings. The calculated energies of the interactions with positions in six-membered rings are − 2.09 to − 2.83 kcal/mol, while the energies with five-membered rings are − 2.05 to − 2.26 kcal/mol. The results reveal that stronger interactions of six-membered rings are the consequence of stronger electrostatic interactions. Substituents on the porphyrin ring significantly strengthen the interactions. Substituents on the six-membered ring strengthen the interaction energy by about 20%. The results show that CH/π interactions play an important role in molecular recognition of metalloporphyrins. The significant influence of the substituents on interaction energies can be very important for the design of model systems in bioinorganic chemistry.

Graphical abstractAnalysis of CH/π interactions in metal porphyrinato complexes show stronger interactions with six-membered chelate rings than with five-membered pyrrole rings.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide