Synthesis of hydroporphyrins based on comparative studies of palladium-catalyzed and non-catalyzed approaches

Hydroporphyrins have been synthesized using both Pd-catalyzed and non-catalyzed approaches. Comparative studies of the reaction of tetrasubstituted porphyrins with organolithium reagents in the presence of and without palladium catalysts showed that depending on reagents, the catalyst structure and reactivity of the corresponding porphyrins, chlorins (β-hydroporphyrins) and/or porphodimethenes (meso hydroporphyrins) of 5,10-type can be prepared in reasonable yields. In the absence of Pd catalysts, the formation of chlorins is predominant in the reactions with aliphatic RLi while porphodimethenes are the main products in reactions with PhLi. The use of a palladium catalyst resulted in the formation of both types of hydroporphyrins and the selective formation of either β-mono- or disubstituted chlorins. Of special interest was the reaction of octaethylporphyrin. Here, reaction with t-BuLi in the presence of Pd(PPh3)4/CuI proceeded with complete regioselectivity for 5,10-porphodimethenes.