Five-coordinate iron(II) porphyrins derived from meso-α,β,γ,δ tetraphenylporphin: synthesis, characterization, and coordinating properties

Meso-α,β,γ,δ, tetraphenylporphin derivatives bearing acrylic (cis and trans isomers) and propionic side chains with a terminal imidazole group have been synthesized. Intermediate compounds obtained during their preparation were characterized by visible spectroscopy and nmr. In non-coordinating solvents (benzene or toluene), the iron(III) complexes of these compounds do not show intramolecular coordination of the terminal base on the metal ion. The reduced forms of the compounds have been obtained from ferric forms by heterogeneous reduction with aqueous dithionite and exhibit optical spectra characteristic of five-coordinate ferrous complexes. The nitrogenous bases and carbon monoxide affinities of the latter have been measured and the results indicate that the 'transinfluence' exerted by the terminal imidazole does not depend greatly on the nature and the structure of the covalent side chain. In contrast the stability of the five-coordinate compounds depends on the side chain (trans acrylic < propionic < cis acrylic) as suggested by the values reported for the replacement constants of the terminal imidazole by 4-cyanopyridine in unsymmetrical six-coordinate derivatives. The stability of these compounds towards oxidation is also reported.