Coordination Chemistry of Linear Tripyrroles: Promises and Perils

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Abstract

Presenting an electron-rich π system and an array of three pyrrolic nitrogen donors, linear tripyrrolic ligands are attractive platforms for metal coordination. While retaining several advantageous features of porphyrin-type ligands (e.g., tunable electronic structure, ligand-based one-electron redox chemistry), tripyrroles permit in-plane access to the metal center. The metal-binding properties of both synthetic and naturally occurring tripyrroles have been documented; however, this chemistry is still in its early stages and the full potential of this class of ligands has not yet come to fruition. Through a selection of examples, several areas of current and potential growth are described along with known hurdles that have emerged thus far.

Keywords:

• oligopyrrole
• prodigiosin
• redox-active ligands
• redox non-innocence
• tripyrrin

FUNDING

Our work on oligopyrrolic ligands is supported by the National Science Foundation (CAREER grant 1454047).

Additional information

Funding

Our work on oligopyrrolic ligands is supported by the National Science Foundation (CAREER grant 1454047).