Synthesis of directly meso-meso linked bisporphyrins using organolithium reagents

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(99)00745-5

Reaction of easily available 5,15-disubstituted free base porphyrins with organolithium reagents under anhydrous conditions affords 5,10,15-trisubstituted porphyrin anions that, upon oxidation with DDQ (2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-quinone), give directly linked (5,5') bisporphyrins in good yields. This method allows the facile preparation of bisporphyrins with mixed meso substituent pattern.