Porphyrin synthesis from nitrocompounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)89062-1

A new porphyrin synthesis starting from nitroalkenes or their equivalents is described. For example, octaethylporphyrin, coproporphyrin, porphyrin-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 octapropionic acid, and 2,7,12,17 tetraarylporphyrin are prepared in good yield from readily available materials such as 1-nitropropane, nitroethane, nitromethane, and aldehydes.