The four-electron oxidation of meso-octaethylporphyrinogen via a metal-mediated dealkylation process: formation of [RuL(PhCN)2][H2L = 5,15-dihydro-5,5,10,15,15,20-hexaethylporphyrin]
A four-electron oxidation of meso-octaethylporphyrinogen (H4L′) involving the dealkylation of two meso carbons has been observed in the reaction between [Ru(Cl)2(PhCN)4] and [Li4L′(THF)4] leading to [RuL(PhCN)2] which contains two hemiporphyrin fragments joined by two sp3 carbons, as shown by an X-ray analysis.