Synthesis of meso-tetra-(5-iodo-thien-2-yl)-porphyrin; an intermediate for cross-coupling reactions

The synthesis of new porphyrins has become a major challenge, mainly due to their wide range of applications, including photochemical cells and photodynamic therapy (PDT). 1 With the advent of one-pot processes 2,3 for the synthesis of meso substituted porphyrins, the number of these compounds has increased considerably. Porphyrins with meso-thienyl groups can also be used as building blocks for new porphyrins. One way to functionalize these compounds is the Heck-Mizoroki and Sonogashira cross coupling reactions. 4 We now propose the synthesis of meso-thien-2-yl-porphyrins functionalized with iodine, ready for cross-coupling reactions.