Triscyanocorrole, the Newest and Most Intriguing Member of the C₁-Substituted Corrole Family

Considering the potential advantages of minimally sized corroles for diverse applications, this study reports a facile access to cyano-substituted derivatives via a rare CF₃/CN conversion. Investigation of the fully characterized gallium, phosphorus, and cobalt complexes discloses multiple effects of the meso-nitrile groups attached to the macrocycle. This corrole appears to be the most electron poor derivative which comes into play in the redox potentials of the corresponding complexes. Compared to its precursor, both the absorption and emission are strongly red shifted and the fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield are much larger. The coordination chemistry is affected as well, by virtue of axial ligands being perpendicular rather than parallel relative to each other.