N-bridged dimers of tetrapyrroles complexed by transition metals: syntheses, characterization methods, and uses as oxidation catalysts

N -bridged dimers of tetrapyrroles complexed by transition metals have been known for nearly four decades, and gained renewed attention when their powerful oxidation properties were recently evidenced. This article is a state of the art review of the reported complexes and of their synthetic methods. Beyond classical chemistry characterization tools, specific methods appropriate to their structure are used and are presented in detail. Finally, their uses and importance of oxidation catalysts are reviewed.