Nitro-Substituted Dipyrrolyldiketone BF₂ Complexes as Electronic-State-Adjustable Anion-Responsive π-Electronic Systems

Abstract

Nitro-substituted π-electronic molecules are fascinating because of their unique electronic and optical properties and the ease of their transformation into various functional derivatives. Herein, nitro-introduced dipyrrolyldiketone BF₂ complexes as anion-responsive π-electronic molecules were synthesized, and their electronic properties and anion-binding abilities were investigated by spectroscopic analyses and theoretical studies. The obtained nitro-substituted derivatives showed solvent-dependent UV/vis spectral changes and high anion-binding affinities due to the easily pyrrole-inverted conformations and polarized pyrrole NH sites upon the introduction of electron-withdrawing moieties.

1. Introduction

Appropriately designed π-electronic systems have unique electronic and optical properties and assembling behavior [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. As pyrrole-based π-electronic systems, boron-dipyrromethenes (BODIPYs) have been investigated due to high molar absorption coefficients at the visible region, high fluorescence quantum yields, and chemical and photostability. Hence, BODIPYs introducing recognition sites are used for bioimaging, sensors, and drug delivery [4,8,9,10]. Moreover, the properties of π-electronic systems can be modulated by the substituents and resulting structures. The nitro (NO₂) group is effective for controlling the electronic states of π-electronic systems owing to its strong electron-withdrawing nature [11,12,13]. The nitro group is also a useful and important substituent in the field of synthetic chemistry. NO₂-substituted molecules are easily converted to the corresponding amines, which are the precursors of amides and other derivatives with functional groups. It is also noteworthy that nitroarenes behave as electrophilic coupling partners for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling [14]. As the platforms for NO₂ substitution, dipyrrolyldiketone BF₂ complexes (e.g., 1a,b, Scheme 1) have been examined as anion-responsive π-electronic molecules [15,16,17,18,19], which formed anion complexes and ion-pairing assemblies in combination with cations [20,21]. Pyrrole β-substituents of 1b enable the facile and selective introduction of substituents at the α-positions, resulting in the synthesis of various derivatives [18,19]. The anion-binding properties depend on the substituents, such as ethyl and fluorine groups, introduced onto the pyrrole rings [16,17]. Compared to 1a, 1b shows less affinities for anions due to the electron-donating β-ethyl substituents. In this study, the introduction of nitro group(s) at the pyrrole α-positions was investigated for modulating the electronic states and anion-binding abilities.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Synthesis and Characterization

Nitration of aromatic species using nitric acid proceeds via the mechanism of electrophilic aromatic substitution (S_EAr) reactions. Dipyrrolyldiketone BF₂ complex 1b showed moderate reactivity for S_EAr reactions, such as iodination, at the pyrrole α-positions despite the electron-withdrawing diketone unit [18]. The modified synthesis procedure [22] was adopted to prepare dinitro-substituted 2a as an orange solid in 13% yield from 1b by using concentrated nitric acid and acetic anhydride. Similarly, mononitro-substituted 2b was obtained as a red solid in 48% yield by the treatment of 1b with concentrated nitric acid and acetic acid at −5 °C for 3 h, and subsequently, at r.t. for 1 h (Scheme 2). For the introduction of the functional group for coupling reactions [18], the reaction of 2b with 1.1 equiv. of N-iodosuccinimide at r.t. for 6 h resulted in iodination at the unsubstituted pyrrole α-position to afford reddish orange 2c in 45% yield. The ¹H NMR spectrum of 2a in CDCl₃ at r.t. showed the NH signal at 10.24 ppm, whereas signals of 2b,c were observed at 10.18/9.59 and 10.14/9.63 ppm, respectively. Given the pyrrole NH signal of 1b at 9.31 ppm [17], the nitro group(s) caused the pyrrole NH signals to shift downfield. Furthermore, the signals of pyrrole β-CH₂ in the spectra of 2a–c were observed at 2.87/2.83, 2.86/2.81/2.78/2.50, and 2.86/2.83/2.78/2.46 ppm, respectively, while those of 1b appeared at 2.78 and 2.48 ppm, suggesting the electron-withdrawing effect of the nitro groups. The bridging CH signals, 6.83, 6.64, and 6.58 ppm for 2a–c, respectively, were also influenced by the nitro substitution in comparison with 1b (6.48 ppm) [17].

Solid-state structures of 2c were revealed by single-crystal X-ray analysis (Figure 1). 2c formed two types of crystal pseudo-polymorphs, both of which were obtained by vapor diffusion of cyclohexane into an EtOAc solution. Polymorph 2c-tri adopted a triclinic crystal system (P$\overline{1}$) containing face-to-face dimers, in which non-inverted pyrrole NH formed intermolecular hydrogen bonding with a disordered EtOAc molecule with the N(−H)···O distance of 2.85 Å (Figure 1a). The 2c molecule in 2c-tri had a planar geometry, whose mean-plane deviation was estimated to be 0.0741 Å (19 atoms). The packing structures included π–π stacking between two pyrrole rings with a stacking distance of 3.34 Å. In contrast, polymorph 2c-mono existed as a monoclinic crystal system (P2₁/c) containing dimers, in which the pyrrole rings were inverted and the iodopyrrole and nitropyrrole units were in the same plane with multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds (Figure 1b). The less stable pyrrole-inverted conformation (vide infra) in 2c-mono was stabilized by dimerization with multiple hydrogen bonds of pyrrole NH and bridging CH with the nitro oxygen: the N(–H)···O and C(–H)···O distances were 2.89/2.90/2.97 and 3.41/3.44 Å, respectively. 2c-mono also showed intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions at a pyrrolyl N–H···F(–B) with an N(–H)···F distance of 2.88 Å. The 2c molecule in 2c-mono also adopted the planar geometry, whose mean-plane deviations were estimated as 0.129 and 0.239 Å (19 atoms for each), and π–π stacking between the pyrrole ring and the diketone unit with a stacking distance of 3.67 Å.

2.2. Photophysical Properties

The UV/vis absorption spectra of 2a,b revealed characteristic substituent-dependent electronic properties. The UV/vis absorption spectra of 2a showed the maxima at 478 nm (toluene and CH₂Cl₂) and a broad peak at 526 nm (THF), which were red-shifted compared to those in the case of 1b (452 (CH₂Cl₂) and 449 nm (toluene and THF)) (Figure 2a,b(i)). On the other hand, the UV/vis absorption spectra of 2b were different from those of 2a, as observed in the maxima at 474 (toluene), 460 (CH₂Cl₂), and 455 (THF) nm (Figure 2b(i)). The fluorescence emission wavelengths (λ_em) (and quantum yields, Φ_F) of 2a,b, excited at the absorption maxima, in toluene were 495 (0.462) and 498 nm (0.298), respectively, whereas those in CH₂Cl₂ were 493 (0.460) and 523 nm (0.020), respectively. Furthermore, the fluorescence emission of 2b in THF, excited at 455 nm, was quenched, whereas that of 2a was observed at 491 nm with a Φ_F of 0.073. The broad UV/vis absorption spectra of 2b in CH₂Cl₂ and THF suggested intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). These observations of 2b were consistent with the dipole moments of the solvents: 0.30, 1.14, and 1.74 D for toluene, CH₂Cl₂, and THF, respectively [23]. On the other hand, the UV/vis absorption spectrum of 2a in THF showed broad and red-shifted bands, probably due to the interactions between the pyrrole NH and solvent molecules. This feature was also observed in the spectral change of 2a upon the addition of CH₃CO₂⁻ as a tetrabutylammonium (TBA) salt in CH₂Cl₂ (vide infra). The Stokes shift of 2a was 0.079 eV, which is smaller than 1b (0.100 eV) [17], whereas the Stokes shift of 2b was 0.325 eV due to ICT in CH₂Cl₂. The UV/vis absorption spectra of 1b and 2a,b were consistent with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT)-based theoretical spectra at CPCM-B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) in CH₂Cl₂ (Figure 3) [24]. The main theoretical absorption maxima of 1b and 2a,b were estimated to be 411, 468, and 463 nm, respectively, corresponding to HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital)-to-LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) transitions. Both the HOMO and LUMO of 1b and 2a were distributed over the core π-electronic unit owing to the symmetrical structures. In contrast, in the less symmetric 2b, the HOMO was delocalized at the core π-electronic unit except for the carbonyl oxygen at the α-unsubstituted pyrrole side, whereas the LUMO was more distributed in the nitro-substituted pyrrole and diketone units. Hence, 2b showed ICT, especially in more polar solvents.

2.3. Anion-Binding Behavior

Pyrrole inversions of dipyrrolyldiketone BF₂ complexes, whose pyrrole NH sites are oriented to the side of the carbonyl units, are required for anion binding [15,16,17,18,19]. The theoretical relative stability is correlated with the dipole magnitude and orientation of the pyrrole units. Therefore, the electronic states of pyrrole rings, according to the introduced substituents, modulate the dipole moments and resulting pyrrole-inversion behavior. Moreover, the binding constants (K_a) are determined by the hydrogen-bonding donor strength, depending on the dipole moment of the pyrrole units. Considering these points, the anion-binding properties of 2a,b were examined with UV/vis absorption spectral changes upon the addition of anions as TBA salts in CH₂Cl₂ solutions (0.01 mM for 2a and 0.02 mM for 2b). CH₂Cl₂ is used for good solubility for 2a,b and salts and for exhibiting higher K_a values as a less polar solvent. The use of polar solvents decreases the affinities for anions due to the solvation of salts along with receptors. Upon the addition of Cl⁻, the absorption peaks in the spectrum of 2a at 478 and 452 nm were diminished, while the peak at 350 nm became prominent due to the increasing transition dipole moment along the short axis by the conformation change from anion-free to anion-binding states (Figure 4a(i)). Similarly, in the spectrum of 2b, the absorptions at 471 and 460 nm decreased concomitantly with an increase in the absorption of 340 nm (Figure 4a(ii)). On the other hand, the addition of CH₃CO₂⁻ to 2a induced a spectral change different from those observed upon the addition of Cl⁻, where a new absorption peak around 526 nm increased while those at 478 and 452 nm decreased (Figure 4b(i)). Similar to the case of 2a, drastic spectral changes were observed due to CH₃CO₂⁻ binding with 2b, leading to new absorption peaks at around 503 and 350 nm, with decreasing peaks at 471 and 460 nm (Figure 4b(ii)). The increasing absorption peaks at 526 and 503 nm for 2a,b, respectively, are derived from the changes in the electronic states. CH₃CO₂⁻ as a basic anion strongly interacts with pyrrole NH and induces the more polarized structures. The different basicities of Cl⁻ and CH₃CO₂⁻ were sensitive to the interaction strength with the more polarized nitropyrrole-NH of 2a,b, resulting in different absorption spectral changes and electronic states. The K_a values of 2a,b for Cl⁻, Br⁻, and CH₃CO₂⁻ (

Table 1. Binding constants (K_a, M⁻¹) of 2a,b and 1b [17] as a reference for various anions in CH₂Cl₂.

	2a	2b	1b
Cl−	190,000	27,000	6800
Br−	11,000	2800	1200
CH3CO2−	>106	>106	210,000

) were estimated to be 190,000, 11,000, and >10⁶ M⁻¹ for 2a and 27,000, 2800, and >10⁶ M⁻¹ for 2b, respectively, which were larger than the corresponding values for 1b (6800, 1200, and 210,000 M⁻¹, respectively) [17]. The K_a values were augmented with the increase in the nitropyrrole-NH units that were more effectively included for hydrogen bonding with anions.

Theoretical studies of 2a–c at the B3LYP level by using the 6-31G(d,p) basis set for C, H, B, N, O, and F and the LanL2DZ basis set for I [24] (Figure 5) suggested the stabilities of pyrrole-inverted conformations. Three conformations for 2a and four conformations for 2b,c were examined according to the orientations of pyrrole rings for the discussion of their relative energies. Singly pyrrole-inverted conformation 2a-2 and doubly pyrrole-inverted conformation 2a-3 were less stable than pyrrole-non-inverted conformation 2a-1 by 0.43 and 1.95 kcal/mol, respectively. On the other hand, 2b-2, 2b-2′, and 2b-3 were less stable than 2b-1 by 0.42, 1.96, and 2.87 kcal/mol, respectively, and 2c-2, 2c-2′, and 2c-3 were less stable than 2c-1 by 0.35, 1.62, and 2.64 kcal/mol, respectively. Compared to 1b, with lesser stabilities of 2.20 and 4.98 kcal/mol for the singly and doubly pyrrole-inverted conformations, respectively, 2a–c can easily invert their pyrrole rings, especially the nitropyrrole unit(s), due to the decreased dipole moments of the pyrrole rings.

The theoretically estimated electrostatic potential (ESP) maps of 2a,b⋅Cl⁻ [24] (Figure 6) were different from that of 1b⋅Cl⁻. The NO₂-substituted pyrrole rings in 2a,b⋅Cl⁻ are more cationic than the pyrrole rings in 1b⋅Cl⁻, and simultaneously, more cationic BF₂ units are observed in 2a,b⋅Cl⁻ than in 1b⋅Cl⁻ because of the strong electron-withdrawing effect of the NO₂ units. Furthermore, Cl⁻ in 2a⋅Cl⁻ has a smaller electron density due to the electron delocalization onto the dipyrrolyldiketone unit. These electron delocalization properties of 2a,b⋅Cl⁻ are consistent with the more effective anion-binding abilities.

The anion-binding modes of 2a,b were investigated based on changes in their ¹H NMR spectra upon the addition of Cl⁻ as a TBA salt in CD₂Cl₂ at 20 and −50 °C (Figure 7). In the case of 2a, the addition of small amounts of Cl⁻ at −50 °C decreased the signals of pyrrole NH (10.44 ppm) and bridging CH (6.82 ppm). After the addition of 0.43 equiv. of Cl⁻, the signals of pyrrole NH and bridging NH first appeared in the downfield regions. Upon the addition of 1.2 equiv. of Cl⁻, the signals gradually shifted to 13.27 (pyrrole NH) and 9.08 ppm (bridging CH) (Figure 7a). On the other hand, in the case of 2b, the addition of Cl⁻ (0.45 equiv.) at −50 °C decreased the signals of the pyrrole NH (10.26/9.63 ppm) and bridging CH (6.61 ppm). Concomitantly, the signals of Cl⁻-binding pyrrole NH and bridging CH appeared in the downfield regions, and the addition of 1.2 equiv. of Cl⁻ shifted the Cl⁻-binding pyrrole NH and bridging CH signals to 12.64/12.38 and 7.15 ppm, respectively (Figure 7b). These observations suggested the presence of small amounts of [2+1]-type Cl⁻ complexes. In contrast to those that independently appeared as independent signals between anion-free receptors and [1+1]-type complexes [19], the [2+1]-type complexes of 2a,b were in fast equilibria with the corresponding [1+1]-type complexes, resulting in the coalescence into single signals that shifted downfield (Figure 7c).

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. General Procedures

Starting materials were purchased from FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corp. (Osaka, Japan), Nacalai Tesque Inc. (Kyoto, Japan), Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan), Sigma-Aldrich Co. (Tokyo, Japan), and were used without further purification unless otherwise stated. The spectroscopic data of 1a,b were reported in the precedent reports [15,17]. NMR spectra used in the characterization of products 2a–c were recorded on a JEOL ECA-600 600 MHz spectrometer (JEOL Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and a Bruker AVANCE DRX-600 600 MHz spectrometer (Bruker, Massachusetts, USA). All NMR spectra were referenced to the solvent. UV-visible absorption spectra were recorded on a Hitachi U-3500 spectrometer (Hitachi High-Tech Science Corp., Tokyo, Japan). Fluorescence spectra and quantum yields were recorded on a Hitachi F-4500 fluorescence spectrometer (Hitachi High-Tech Science Corp., Tokyo, Japan) and a Hamamatsu Quantum Yields Measurements System for Organic LED Materials C9920-02 (Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Hamamatsu, Japan), respectively. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometries (MALDI-TOF-MS) were recorded on a Shimadzu Axima-CFRplus (Shimadzu Corp., Kyoto, Japan). TLC analyses were carried out on aluminum sheets coated with silica gel 60 (Merck 5554). Column chromatography was performed on Wakogel C-300.

3.1.1. BF₂ Complex of 1,3-bis(3,4-diethyl-5-nitropyrrol-2-yl)-1,3-propanedione, 2a

Similar to the literature procedure [22], concentrated nitric acid (0.04 mL, d = 1.4 g/L, 0.86 mmol) was added in small portions to 0.68 mL of cooled acetic anhydride (−5 °C, brine/ice bath). The mixture was stirred at this temperature for 45 min, after which it was added dropwise to a cooled solution of BF₂ complex of 1,3-bis(3,4-diethylpyrrol-2-yl)-1,3-propanedione 1b [17] (77.9 mg, 0.215 mmol) in 1 mL of acetic anhydride. After the addition was completed (ca. 30 min), the mixture was stirred at −5 °C for 3 h, followed by stirring at r.t. for 1 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with ice and was quenched with NaHCO₃ aq (pH ~ 5). The aqueous mixture was extracted with Et₂O (5 × 15 mL) and the organic layer was neutralized by washing with NaHCO₃ aq (pH ~ 8), and was dried with brine and Na₂SO₄. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was then chromatographed over a silica gel column (eluent: 25% EtOAc/n-hexane) and was recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂/n-hexane to give 2a (12.6 mg, 27.9 µmol, 13%) as an orange solid. R_f = 0.33 (25% EtOAc/n-hexane). ¹H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃, 20 °C): δ (ppm) 10.24 (br, 2H, NH), 6.83 (s, 1H, CH), 2.87 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 4H, CH₂CH₃), 2.83 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 4H, CH₂CH₃), 1.32 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 6H, CH₂CH₃), 1.23 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 6H, CH₂CH₃). ¹³C{¹H}-NMR (151 MHz, CDCl₃, 20 °C): δ (ppm) 171.4, 137.9, 136.4, 129.4, 123.4, 95.8, 19.0, 17.7, 15.5, 14.5. UV/vis (CH₂Cl₂, λ_max[nm] (ε, 10⁴ M⁻¹cm⁻¹)): 473 (10.0). Fluorescence (CH₂Cl₂ (1 × 10⁻⁵ M), λ_em[nm] and Φ_F (λ_ex[nm])): 494 and 0.39 (473). MALDI-TOF-MS: m/z (% intensity): 450.2 (60), 451.2 (100), 452.2 (47). Calcd for C₁₉H₂₃BF₂N₄O₆ ([M − H]⁻): 451.16.

3.1.2. BF₂ Complex of 1-(3,4-diethyl-5-nitropyrrol-2-yl)-3-(3,4-diethylpyrrol-2-yl)-1,3-propanedione, 2b

Similar to the literature procedure [22], concentrated nitric acid (0.10 mL, d = 1.4 g/L, 0.86 mmol) was added in small portions to 2.0 mL of cooled acetic acid (−5 °C, brine/ice bath). The mixture was stirred at this temperature for 45 min, after which it was added dropwise to a cooled solution of 1b [17] (181 mg, 0.50 mmol) in 5.0 mL acetic acid. After the addition was completed (ca. 30 min), the mixture was stirred at −5 °C for 2 h, followed by stirring at r.t. for 1 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with ice and was quenched with NaHCO₃ aq (pH ~ 5). The aqueous mixture was extracted with Et₂O (5 × 15 mL), and the organic layer was neutralized by washing with NaHCO₃ aq (pH ~ 8) and was dried with brine and Na₂SO₄. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was then chromatographed over a silica gel column (eluent: CH₂Cl₂) and was recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂/n-hexane to give 2b (97.3 mg, 23.9 µmol, 48%) as a red solid. R_f = 0.19 (CH₂Cl₂). ¹H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃, 20 °C): δ (ppm) 10.18 (br, 1H, NH), 9.59 (br, 1H, NH), 7.14 (d, J = 3.0 Hz, 1H, pyrrole-H), 6.64 (s, 1H, CH), 2.86 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 2.81 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 2.78 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 2.50 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 1.230 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 3H, CH₂CH₃), 1.229 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 3H, CH₂CH₃), 1.210 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 3H, CH₂CH₃), 1.209 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 3H, CH₂CH₃). ¹³C{¹H}-NMR (151 MHz, CDCl₃, 25 °C): δ (ppm) 170.1, 166.4, 139.2, 136.3, 132.7, 131.2, 129.5, 128.5, 124.6, 123.6, 93.9, 19.4, 18.7, 17.9, 17.8, 15.3, 14.8, 14.5 (the signals of ethyl units are overlapped). UV/vis (CH₂Cl₂, λ_max[nm] (ε, 10⁴ M⁻¹cm⁻¹)): 460 (4.59). Fluorescence (CH₂Cl₂ (2 × 10⁻⁵ M), λ_em[nm] and Φ_F (λ_ex[nm])): 494 and 0.39 (473). MALDI-TOF-MS: m/z (% intensity): 405.3 (60), 406.3 (100), 407.3 (46). Calcd for C₁₉H₂₄BF₂N₃O₄ ([M − H]⁻): 406.18.

3.1.3. BF₂ Complex of 3-(3,4-diethyl-5-iodopyrrol-2-yl)-1-(3,4-diethyl-5-nitropyrrol-2-yl)-1,3-propanedione, 2c

According to the literature procedure [18], to a CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) solution of 2b (40.7 mg, 0.10 mmol) at r.t. was added N-iodosuccinimide (23.6 mg, 0.11 mmol). The mixture was stirred at r.t. for 6 h. The mixture was washed with water and was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, and it was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and was evaporated to dryness. The residue was then chromatographed over a silica gel column (eluent: 10% EtOAc/n-hexane) and was recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂/n-hexane to give 2c (24.2 mg, 25.0 µmol, 45%) as a reddish orange solid. R_f = 0.29 (10% EtOAc/n-hexane). ¹H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃, 20 °C): δ (ppm) 10.14 (br, 1H, NH), 9.63 (br, 1H, NH), 6.58 (s, 1H, CH), 2.86 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 2.83 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 2.78 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 2.46 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 1.29 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 6H, CH₂CH₃), 1.21 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 3H, CH₂CH₃), 1.12 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 3H, CH₂CH₃). ¹³C{¹H}-NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d₆, 25 °C): δ (ppm) 169.4, 167.8, 139.3, 137.2, 134.3, 133.3, 130.1, 129.0, 127.0, 125.9, 94.5, 19.13, 19.05, 17.7, 17.3, 15.7, 15.3, 14.9, 14.3. MALDI-TOF-MS: m/z (% intensity): 531.2 (45), 532.2 (100), 533.2 (35). Calcd for C₁₉H₂₃BF₂IN₃O₄ ([M − H]⁻): 532.07. This compound was unambiguously characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis.

3.2. Method for Single-Crystal X-ray Analysis

Crystallographic data are summarized in the Supplementary Materials. A single crystal of 2c-tri was obtained by vapor diffusion of cyclohexane into an EtOAc solution. The data crystal was an orange prism of approximate dimensions 0.130 mm × 0.090 mm × 0.010 mm. A single crystal of 2c-mono as a polymorph was also obtained by vapor diffusion of cyclohexane into an EtOAc solution. The data crystal was an orange prism of approximate dimensions 0.130 mm × 0.090 mm × 0.010 mm. All of the data were collected at 93 K on a Rigaku XtaLAB P200 diffractometer with graphite monochromated Cu-Kα radiation (λ = 1.54184 Å), and the structure was solved by the direct method. In each structure, the non-hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically. The structure was refined by a full-matrix least-squares method by using a SHELXL 2014 [25] (Yadokari-XG) [26,27]. CIF files (CCDC-2052538–2052539) can be obtained free of charge from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre.

3.3. DFT Caluculations

DFT calculations were carried out using the Gaussian 09 program [24]. Optimized structures were calculated at the B3LYP level by using the 6-31G(d,p) basis set for C, H, B, N, O, and F and the LanL2DZ basis set for I, and TD-DFT-based theoretical spectra were calculated at CPCM-B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) (CH₂Cl₂)//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p). Theoretically estimated ESP maps were calculated at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p).

4. Conclusions

In this study, mono- and dinitro-substituted dipyrrolyldiketone BF₂ complexes were synthesized. One of the obtained nitro-substituted derivatives provided single crystals suitable for X-ray analysis, adopting an unfavorable pyrrole-inverted-conformation in the solid state due to the decreased dipole moment of the pyrrole rings and multiple hydrogen bonds. Theoretical studies revealed that mono-nitro-substituted derivative had localized molecular orbitals, resulting in ICT in more polar solvents. Furthermore, mono- and dinitro-substituted derivatives showed high anion-binding affinities due to the easily pyrrole-inverted conformations preorganized for anion binding and polarized pyrrole NH sites upon the introduction of electron-withdrawing moieties at the pyrrole α-positions. Further modification of the introduced nitro groups would provide a variety of anion-responsive π-electronic molecules that can act as chemical sensors and building units of ion-pairing assemblies.