A facile synthesis of the lowest homologues of meso‐tetraalkylporphyrin

Utilization of a less stoichiometric amount of aldehyde in portions and addition of water to the reaction mixture depressed the tar formation, affording much easier isolation of meso‐tetraalkylporphyrins. The title porphyrins bearing methyl, ethyl, or n‐propyl substituents were synthesized in isolated yields of 10,10, and 8%, respectively.