Phosphorus(V)-corrole: Synthesis, spectroscopic properties, theoretical calculations, and potential utility for in vivo applications in living cells

The synthesis and properties of phosphorus(V) 5,10,15-tris(4- methoxycarbonylphenyl)corrole (1) have been investigated, and its potential utility for bioimaging applications in living cells has been explored. As would normally be anticipated for corrole complexes, the intensity of the Q(0,0) bands of 1 is greater than those of comparable phosphorus(V) tetraphenylporphyrins, but the Φ_F values (0.25 for 1) are found to be comparable. A detailed analysis of the electronic structure of the complex was carried out by comparing electronic absorption and MCD spectral data to the results of TD-DFT calculations. The meso-aryl substituents, which enhance the lipophilicity of 1 and hence result in its localization in intracellular membranes during HeLa cell experiments, are predicted to result in a narrowing of the HOMO-LUMO gap and hence a red shift of the Q(0,0) bands toward the optical window in biological tissues.