Synthesis and Structure of Ferrocene-Linked Schiff Base Porphyrins

Abstract

Abstract A series of mono ferrocene Schiff-base porphyrins in which the ferrocene unit is disposed in different orientations to the porphyrin core have been synthesized from meso-5(o or p)aminophenyl-10, 15, 20-triphenyl-21,23-H-porphyrin and ferrocenealdehyde. The optical and magnetic resonance spectral features of these derivatives reveal weak interactions between ferrocene and porphyrin units. The kinetics of metal incorporation into the free-base ferrocenyl porphyrins indicate the steric features induced by the ferrocene unit. Electrochemical redox behaviour of the compounds shows that the ferrocene and porphyrin entities behave as independent units. Steady-state photolysis experiments reveal no internal electron-transfer, although the energies of the CT state of porphyrin-ferricenium ion indicate the feasibility of electron transfer in these systems.