Diels-Alder reactions of pyrrolo[3,4-b]porphyrins

Wei Liu, Louisiana State University
Frank R. Fronczek, Louisiana State University
M. Graça H. Vicente, Louisiana State University
Kevin M. Smith, Louisiana State University

Abstract

In the presence of excess dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate (DMAD), nickel(II) pyrrolo[3,4-b]porphyrins undergo both Diels-Alder cycloaddition and Michael addition in toluene to give two bis-adducts, identified as compounds 4 and 5; the reaction can be accelerated by the addition of Lewis or Brønsted-Lowry acids. Refluxing the reaction mixture in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (220°C) leads to a nickel(II) monobenzoporphyrin 2 as the main product. The structure of compound 4 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.