Synthesis of porphyrin-2,3,12,13- and -2,3,7,8-tetraones: building blocks for the synthesis of extended porphyrin arrays

The first synthesis of a porphyrin-2,3,12,13-tetraone and porphyrin-2,3,7,8-tetraones is reported; these compounds are useful compounds for the construction of laterally-extended porphyrin systems as is illustrated by the synthesis of linear and bent tris-porphyrins, 10 and 11, respectively, and the tetrakis-porphyrin 12.