Sulfonated graphenes catalyzed synthesis of expanded porphyrins and their supramolecular interactions with pristine graphene

Abstract

A newer synthesis of sulfonic acid functionalized graphenes have been developed, which have been characterized, examined as heterogeneous solid acid carbocatalyst in the synthesis of selected expanded porphyrins in different reaction conditions. This environment-friendly catalyst avoids the use of toxic catalysts and enhances the yields of porphyrinoids. The non-covalent interaction of porphyrinoids has also been studied with exfoliated graphene solution in organic solvents by UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. Reaction of pyrrole with arylaldehydes catalyzed by newly synthesized sulfonated graphene in ortho-dichlorobenzene gave 5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrins and corresponding expanded porphyrins depending upon the reaction conditions. The possible non-covalent interactions with porphyrinoids with prisitine graphene have been examined by UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy.