Synthesis of biomimetic heme precursors

Three kinds of biomimetic heme precursors have been prepared. The first type is based on tetra-aminoporphyrins: either 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (o-aminophenyl)porphyrin (various atropoisomers), or 5,15-bis(2′,6′-diaminophenyl)porphyrin. The second type is based on octa-aminoporphyrins: 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (2′,6′-diamino-4′-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrin. One example of “basket handle” porphyrin demonstrates selective discrimination between O₂ and CO with an M value M=p_1/2(O₂)/p_1/2(CO)] of 105. This is similar to values reported for various natural hemoproteins. The third type is based on aminoporphyrin templates 5, 5,10- or 5,15- and 5,10,15-(2′,6′-dinitro,4′-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrins] which have been tested in asymmetric epoxidation.