Effects of diverse acid catalysts on the reaction course in the two-step one-flask synthesis of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin

A set of 45 acids or acid combinations was examined in the condensation of pyrrole + benzaldehyde (10 mM each in CH2Cl2) leading to meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP). Initial screening experiments identified suitable acid catalysts and the optimal concentration (in terms of TPP formation) for each acid. Subsequent experiments followed the time course of reactions using the best conditions identified in the screening experiments. The reaction course was followed by monitoring reactions from 1 min to 24 h for the yield of TPP (by UV-vis and HPLC), the yields of N-confused tetraphenylporphyrin and tetraphenylsapphyrin (by HPLC), the quantity of unreacted benzaldehyde (by TLC), and the oligomer composition (by laser desorption mass spectrometry). Diverse acids (Bronsted or Lewis; soluble or insoluble) were found to provide yields of TPP ranging up to similar to50%. Only 10 acids gave no TPP. In addition, N-confused tetraphenylporphyrin was found to be a ubiquitous byproduct, whereas tetraphenylsapphyrin was not widely observed. MgBr2-etherate and CuCl2 each catalyzed porphyrinogen formation and resulted in porphyrin metalation following oxidation and neutralization of the reaction mixture, thereby providing direct, one-flask syntheses of magnesium and copper porphyrins. Observations concerning the reaction course obtained from prior studies of TFA or BF3-etherate catalysis have been found to be quite general across a broad range of acid catalysts. Collectively, these results show that many acids have potential utility in porphyrin syntheses. Copyright (C) 2002 Society of Porphyrins & Phthalocyanines.