On the partial synthesis of optically pure bacteriopheophorbides -C and -D

Abstract

Methyl bacteriopheophorbides-c or -d (obtained by partial synthesis, or by Markownikoff hydration of methyl pyropheophorbide-a, respectively) are obtained as a mixture of the (R,S) diastereomers at the 2(1-hydroxyethyl) group; these can be efficiently and completely separated using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Purity of the resolved mixture is demonstrated by 360 MHz NMR spectra.