Sterically encumbered triarylcorroles from aryldipyrromethanes and aromatic aldehydes

A two-step synthesis of corroles from dipyrromethanes and aromatic aldehydes has been achieved. Acid-catalyzed [2+2] condensation of (2,6-dichlorophenyl)dipyrromethane with electron deficient aldehydes in CH2Cl2 followed by cyclization and oxidation in propionitrile or CH2Cl2, in the presence of DDQ or chloranil gave corroles in good yields.