Adventures in the synthesis of meso-substituted corroles

This personal account describes how methodology for the synthesis of meso-substituted corroles reached the mature state within just a few years. Both latest developments and many dead-end attempts are described. The comprehensive comparison of conditions of the reaction of aldehydes with dipyrromethanes leading to trans-A(2)B-corroles is presented. Copyright (c) 2008 Society of Porphyrins & Phthalocyanines.