Naphthalene-fused metallo-porphyrins-synthesis and spectroscopy

Oxidative aromatic coupling of meso-substituted porphyrins bearing one electron-rich naphthalene unit has been studied in detail. After thorough optimization of oxidant, naphthalene-fused porphyrins were prepared in high yield without contamination from chlorinated side-products using Fe(ClO4)(3)center dot 2H(2)O. Copper and nickel complexes were successfully transformed into pi-expanded porphyrins in 40-83% yield.