The Chemistry of Pyrrolic Compounds. LIX. The Oxidative Cyclization of Bilenes-b Substituted by Ethyl or Propyl Groups at a Terminal Site

Abstract

Oxidative cyclization of bilenes -b substituted with an ethyl or propyl group at one terminal site and a formyl equivalent at the other yields substantial quantities of the meso-ethyl- or meso-propyl-porphyrin. The origin of these meso-substituents has been substantiated by a study of a deuterated analogue. The copper chelate of the meso-ethylporphyrin (2d) seems unexpectedly stable in acid allowing the formation of by- products involving the interaction of the meso-substituent and the adjacent ring ester.