Reductive N Alkylation of Cyclo[8]pyrroles

Four up, four down: Reductive alkylation of cyclo[8]pyrrole and its derivatives gives rise to the corresponding reduced per-N-alkylated products, a reaction unknown in the case of porphyrins. These bowl-like molecules are arranged with four substituents up and four substituents down in a well-defined alternating fashion, as observed from their crystal structures (see picture; blue N).