Electronic interactions in meso ferrocenyl porphyrin and its metal derivatives

Synthesis, characterization, spectroscopic and electrochemical studies on meso tetraferrocenyl porphyrin are reported. Substitution of ferrocenyl groups on the meso carbons affect the electronic structure of the porphyrin as well as the ferrocenyl moiety. This is reflected in the shift of electronic absorption band and redox potentials in the ferrocenyl containing porphyrin relative to the porphyrins without ferrocenyl group. Single crystal X-ray structure of freebase reveals an α,β,α,β orientation of the ferrocenyl groups relative to the mean plane of the porphyrin ring. Introduction of metal into the porphyrin ring does not alter the electronic structure of the metal as revealed by EPR spectrum for Cu²⁺ derivative.