Lh. Yu et Js. Lindsey, Investigation of two rational routes for preparing p-phenylene-linked porphyrin trimers, TETRAHEDRON, 57(45), 2001, pp. 9285-9298
Multiporphyrin arrays with p-phenylene linkers, aryl groups at the non-link
ing meso positions, and no beta -substiments are attractive constructs for
light-harvesting applications. Condensation of a free base porphyrin-benzal
dehyde and 5-mesityldipyrromethane (10 mM each) in CH2Cl2 containing 100 mM
TFA at room temperature for 30-40 min followed by oxidation with DDQ affor
ded a p-phenylene-linked porphyrin trimer in 36% yield. Suzuki coupling of
an iodo-porphyrin and a bis(dioxaborolane)-porphyrin (20 and 10 mM, respect
ively) in toluene/DMF (2:1) containing K2CO3 (8 equiv.) at 90-95 degreesC f
or similar to 20 h afforded the same trimer in 66% yield. The former route
was used to prepare a diethynyl substituted p-phenylene-linked porphyrin tr
imer. While the two routes are somewhat complementary in scope, both are co
nvergent and proceed in a rational manner. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. A
ll rights reserved.