Anthracenylporphyrins

We report the synthesis and characterization of meso-anthracenylporphyrins with zinc and nickel metal centers. A variety of novel aryl and alkyl meso-substituted anthracenylporphyrins were synthesized via step-wise Suzuki cross-coupling reactions using anthracenyl boronates. This method was compared to standard syntheses based on condensation reactions to yield anthracenylporphyrins of the A(2)B(2)- and A(3) B-type. The work was complemented by the synthesis of a number of the functionalized anthracene derivatives via Suzuki couplings. Selected systems were subjected to single-crystal X-ray analysis which revealed an unusual close packing for nickel(II) anthracenylporphyrins.