Post-synthetic methods for functionalization of imidazole-fused porphyrins

Several methods for the post-synthetic modification of imidazo[4,5-[Formula: see text]]porphyrins are reported. First, a synthetic approach to the isomeric difunctionalized porphyrins, containing two [Formula: see text]-fused 2-aryl-1[Formula: see text]-imidazole cycles at adjacent or opposite pyrrole rings of the macrocycle is developed. The core chemistry of this synthetic route is the transformation of 2-aryl-1[Formula: see text]-imidazo[4,5-[Formula: see text]]porphyrins into corresponding imidazodioxochlorins followed by Debus–Radziszewski condensation with aromatic aldehyde. Next, 2-(4-bromophenyl)-1[Formula: see text]-imidazo[4,5-[Formula: see text]]-5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrin was transformed into useful carboxy- and phosphonato-substituted precursors for material chemistry according to palladium-catalyzed C–C and C–P bond forming reactions.