An Improved Method for the Preparation of Symmetrically Substituted Porphyrins via 2-Methoxymethyl-3,4-disubstituted Pyrrole Derivatives
2-Methoxymethylpyrrole derivatives readily available from 2-methylthiomethylpyrroles were found to be readily cyclized to porphyrinogens with formic acid, and subsequent oxidation with O2 affords the corresponding porphyrins in excellent yields.