Synthesis of a Series of Zinc(II)/Freebase Porphyrin Dimers and Trimers with Programmable Sequences from a Common Key Molecule

Abstract

We have developed a new methodology that enables the synthesis of any sequence of metal porphyrin arrays starting from a common key molecule. Using this method, we prepared porphyrin dimers and trimers with varying component unit sequences via consecutive Suzuki coupling reactions using the same key porphyrin compound under the same reaction conditions. The key porphyrin compound was synthesized on a gram scale in one batch, and the coupling reactions afforded the desired oligomers in good yields. Thus, the prepared porphyrin arrays showed unique physical properties depending on the sequence of the central metals. The reaction is potentially applicable for the automated synthesis of porphyrin arrays.