General Laboratory Methods for Tetrapyrroles

There are thousands of porphyrins and metalloporphyrins, and hundreds of new derivatives appear each year. This variety arises because the cyclic conjugated tetrapyrrole nucleus (Figure 1 ) can have different substituents at the eight β-pyrrole positions, at the four meso [5,10,15,20] carbon atoms, and N-alkyl groups can be added to the four central nitrogen atoms. Since its synthesis in 1972, over 8000 literature references have appeared on 5,10,15, 20-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin compounds, and a similar number on its precursor, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-pyridyl) porphyrin and its derivatives. Most metals and metalloids in the periodic table form metalloporphyrins, and iron porphyrins have been prepared in oxidation states ranging from 0 to +5. In addition, the porphyrin ring itself can be oxidized, reduced, and cleaved.

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