Meso-tetrakis(ferrocenylethynylphenyl) porphyrins: Synthesis and properties

• New meso-tetrakis(ferrocenylethynylphenyl) porphyrins and zinc derivative are synthesized.
• The photophysical, electrochemical and computational studies have been performed.
• The para-linkage of the ferrocenyl unit in porphyrin P1 results in low HOMO–LUMO gap compared to meta-linkage in porphyrin P2.

We report the synthesis of meso-tetrakis(ferrocenylethynylphenyl) porphyrins P1, P2 and the zinc derivative ZnP2. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of these porphyrins show substantial donor–acceptor interaction. The computational studies reveal that the para-linkage of the ferrocenyl unit in porphyrin P1 provides better π-conjugation compared to meta-linkage in porphyrin P2, which results in low HOMO–LUMO gap and red shifted absorption. The porphyrin P2 and ZnP2 show better thermal stability compared to the porphyrin P1.

We have synthesized meso-tetrakis(ferrocenylethynylphenyl) porphyrins P1, P2 and zinc derivative ZnP2. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of these porphyrins show substantial donor–acceptor interaction. The computational studies reveal that para-linkage of ferrocenyl unit in porphyrin P1 results in lower HOMO–LUMO gap compared to meta-linkage in porphyrin P2.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide