Novel, terpyrrole-containing, aromatic expanded porphyrins

The synthesis and characterization of two expanded porphyrins, namely 18,23-diphenyl-2,3,6,7,10,11-hexamethyl-[26]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.0.0) and 18-mesityl-2,3,6,7,10,11-hexamethyl-[22]pentaphyrin(1.1.1.0.0) is described. Their common feature is a terpyrrolic subunit that is connected to a pyrrane building block. Both compounds display aromaticity and are stable in their respective protonated and free-base forms.