Synthesis of porphyrins bearing 1–4 hydroxymethyl groups and other one-carbon oxygenic substituents in distinct patterns

Porphyrins that bear one-carbon oxygenic substituents (hydroxymethyl, formyl, ester) directly attached to the macrocycle afford a compact architecture of utility for diverse applications. Routes to 9 porphyrins bearing such groups in distinct architectures (A4-, trans-A2-, trans-A2B2-, trans-AB-, and trans-AB2C-porphyrins) have been explored (A=hydroxymethyl), including porphyrins bearing two one-carbon units in different oxidation states (hydroxymethyl/ester, formyl/ester). The hydroxymethyl group was introduced via TBDMS-protected dipyrromethane precursors.