1,9-Bis(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)dipyrromethanes in the synthesis of porphyrins bearing one or two meso substituents

A synthesis of 5,15-disubstituted zinc-porphyrins has been developed that employs condensation of a 1,9-bis(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)dipyrromethane+a dipyrromethane in refluxing ethanol containing zinc acetate followed by oxidation with DDQ. The N,N-dimethylaminomethylation of the dipyrromethane was achieved via Eschenmoserʹs reagent (N,N-dimethylmethyleneammonium iodide) in CH2Cl2 at room temperature. The synthesis is compatible with diverse substituents (e.g., alkyl, aryl, ester, acetal) and enables rapid synthesis of trans-AB-, A2-, and A-porphyrins. The synthesis of >40 zinc porphyrins has been surveyed; 13 zinc porphyrins were isolated in yields of 5–20% without detectable scrambling.