Expedient synthesis of corroles by oxidant-mediated, direct α-α′ coupling of tetrapyrromethanes

Oxidant mediated coupling of tetrapyrromethanes resulted in the exclusive formation of meso-substituted corroles in more than 60% yields. The similar coupling reaction of 1,14-unsubstituted 16-oxatripyrromethane with 5-tolyldipyrromethane carried out in acetonitrile also gave expanded corroles as a single product. In both cases acid catalysts are not necessary for the direct α-α′ coupling reaction.