A series of metalloporphyrin dimers as Tröger’s
bases 1 or spiro-Tröger’s bases 2 was
prepared starting from five different C
4-symmetry porphyrin derivatives substituted in meso-positions by Ph, 3-MeO-Ph, 4-MeO-Ph, 3,4-(MeO)2-Ph, or 3,5-(MeO)2-Ph. Free-base
porphyrins were
converted to metalloporphyrins, which were subsequently nitrated with
nickel(II), copper(II), or zinc(II) nitrate to give β-nitrometalloporphyrins.
These were further reduced to β-aminometalloporphyrins and treated
with a methanal equivalent under acidic conditions to selectively
obtain Tröger’s base 1, spiro-Tröger’s
base 2, or a mixture of both, in yields up to 41% of 1 and 45% of 2 depending on the reaction conditions
used. The ratio of 1 to 2 was influenced
by the methanal equivalent used, the strength of the acid, and, above
all, the solvent. The presence of a metal ion within the porphyrin
core and the use of a chlorinated solvent were found to be essential
for the formation of spiro-Tröger’s base 2. The molecular structure of spiroTB 2a-Ni
2
was proven by electron diffraction.