A FACILE SYNTHESIS OF THE LOWEST HOMOLOGS OF MESO-TETRAALKYLPORPHYRIN

Utilization of a less stoichiometric amount of aldehyde in portions an d addition of water to the reaction mixture depressed the tar formatio n, affording much easier isolation of meso-tetraalkylporphyrins. The t itle porphyrins bearing methyl, ethyl, or n-propyl substituents were s ynthesized in isolated yields of 10, 10, and 8%, respectively.