Synthesis and characterization of a series of monometallo-, bimetallo-, and heterobimetallo-1,2-ethene-linked cofacial bisporphyrins

The synthesis and characterization of a series of monometallo-, bimetallo-, and heterobimetallo-1,2-ethene-linked cofacial bisporphyrins are presented. Two heterobimetallic cofacial bisporphyrins were synthesized easily by initially forming monometalated species with subsequent insertion of a second metal ion. Initial monometalations were observed to be slower under dilute conditions in CH2Cl2/MeOH at refluc but under dilute conditions in hot DMF, the insertion rate was sufficiently fast to enable isolation of the monometalated cofacial isomers as the major product.