Differentiation of bacteriochlorin and isobacteriochlorin formation by metallation. High yield synthesis of porphyrindiones via OsO4 oxidation

Abstract

Zinc oxochlorins (porphyrinones) react with osmium tetroxide to give exclusively adjacent-ring saturated isobacteriochlorins without any bacteriochlorins that would normally arise from such a reaction with free base porphyrinones; the diols can be converted into the baem d₁-like porphyrindiones.