Selective detection of minor prototropic tautomers in low-symmetry tetraazaporphyrin derivatives by the combined use of electronic absorption, MCD, and CI calculations

A series of low-symmetry metal-free tetraazaporphyrin (TAP) derivatives, i.e. monobenzo-substituted (1H2), adjacently dibenzo-substituted (2AdH2), oppositely dibenzo-substituted (2OpH2), and tribenzo-substituted (3H2) TAP derivatives, has been investigated by the combined use of electronic absorption, MCD, and CI calculations, proving the existence of two prototropic tautomers in 1H2 and 3H2.