Kinetics of binding of O₂ and CO to 'double-sided' porphyrinatoiron(II) complexes

The kinetics of binding of O₂ and CO to double-sided porphyrinatoiron(II) complexes having ester pockets on both sides of the porphyrin plane has been studied. The specific environment created by the four ester groups around the central iron(II) ion of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-di-tert-butylacetoxyphenyl)porphyrinatoiron(II) 2 results in binding which is not affected by solvation. The lower binding affinity for CO of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-dipivaloyloxyphenyl)porphyrinatoiron(II) 1 compared to that of 5,10,15,20-tetra (o-pivalamidophenyl)porphyrinatoiron(II) is attributed to the unfavourable steric repulsions between the axial imidazole ligand and the pivaloyloxy groups, and is reflected in decreased association and increased dissociation rates. On the other hand, axial base ligation to 2 is not inhibited by the tert-butylacetoxy groups. Therefore, the lower binding affinity for O₂ exhibited by 2 compared to that of an amide fenced porphyrin complex is ascribed to the loss of local polarity in the cavity. The less-polar ester groups of the double-sided porphyrinatoiron complex result in an increased rate of dissociation of O₂. The activation energy for gaseous ligand association to complex 2 was determined.