title: MacDonald [2 + 2]-type condensation with vicinal diketones: synthesis and properties of novel spiro-tricyclic porphodimethenes.
abstract: [structure: see text] Acid-catalyzed [2 + 2] condensation reactions of polycyclic aromatic vicinal diketones including aceanthrenequinone, phenathrenequinone, and pyrene-4,5-dione with 5-mesityldipyrromethanes are outlined, and this methodology provides a flexible entry to spiro-tricyclic porphodimethenes. The porphodimethene products have been fully characterized, including X-ray structure analyses and fluorescence spectroscopy. In the case of the phenanthrenone-substituted macrocycle, the two spiro-locks can be ring-opened to form a trans-bis(2'-hydroxymethylbiphenyl)-substituted porphyrin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, P.O. Box 117200, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7200, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harmjanz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bozidarević
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Scott