High-Frequency and -Field EPR Investigation of a Manganese(III) N-Confused Porphyrin Complex, [Mn(NCTPP)(py)2]

We report the first high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) study of a Mn(III) N-confused porphyrin (NCP) complex (NCP is also known as inverted porphyrin or 2-aza-21-carbaporphyrin). We have found a striking variation in the electronic properties of the S = 2 Mn(III) ion coordinated by NCP compared to other Mn(III) porphyrinoid complexes. Thus, inversion of a single pyrrole ring greatly changes the equatorial ligand field exerted and leads to large magnitudes of both the axial and rhombic zero-field splitting [respectively, D = −3.084(3) cm-1, E = −0.608(3) cm-1], which are unprecedented in other Mn(III) porphyrinoids.