Generation of trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) porphyrins: A photochemical approach

► We develop a new photochemical method to prepare trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) porphyrins. ► We examine six different porphyrin ligands to show the generality of this methodology. ► We examine different photo-labile precursors. ► Two-electron photo-oxidation can be achieved by two homolytic bond cleavages.