Synthesis and structure of isocorrole metal complexes

gem-dimethylisocorrole gave four-coordinate Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes, five-coordinate (chloro)Fe(III) and (chloro)Mn(III) complexes, and six-coordinate (chloro)(pyridinato)Rh(III) complex in moderate to good yields. The dinuclear complexes such as the mu-oxo-diiron(III) complex and tetracarbonyldirhodium(I) complex were also prepared. The structures of these mononuclear and dinuclear complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography. These structures are very similar to those of the corresponding metaloporphyrins but the presence of the sp(3)-meso carbon allows tilting of the pyrrole rings so as to adapt itself to various metal coordination geometries.