Direct Cu(I)-catalysed coupling of a carborane to a meso-tetraphenylporphyrin

The copper-catalysed coupling of 1,2-dicarbaclosododecaborane(12) with a meso-iodophenylporphyrinatozinc has been investigated. Optimisation of the reaction conditions gave 5-(4-(1,2-dicarbaclosododecaboran(12)yl)phenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin as its Zn complex. The crystal structure of 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrinatocopper(II), a side product, has been determined.