3,4-Dialkoxypyrroles and 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaalkoxyporphyrins

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1995-3993

A five-step general synthesis of 3,4-dialkoxypyrroles 7c-f is described starting with the condensation of dimethyl N-benzyliminodiacetate (1 b) and diethyl oxalate to give dimethyl 1-benzyl-3,4-dihydroxypyrrole-2,5-dicarboxylate (2b), which is bis-O-alkylated to the corresponding 3,4-diethers 3c-g. Pyrrole N-benzyl cleavage followed by ester hydrolysis and decarboxylation leads to 7c-f in 10-50% overall yield. Pyrroles 7c-f react with formaldehyde or benzaldehydes to give meso-H- (8a-d) or meso-tetraaryloctaalkoxyporphyrins 9a-g in moderate yields.