Synthesis of bis-porphyrins containing a 2,9-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline spacer

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)87125-8

The synthesis of bis-porphyrins disposed in an oblique fashion is described. The tetrapyrrole rings are linked via a 2,9-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline spacer. Two routes have been investigated: a step wise procedure and a direct strategy involving a double cyclisation step. From the bis-free base porphyrin, synthesized with an overall yield of 1% from 2,9-di(p-tolyl)-1,10-phenanthroline, an unsymmetrical zinc (II) porphyrin free base system was prepared and isolated in view of excited state energy and electron transfer.