A meso‐Tetraaryl‐21‐carbaporphyrin: Incorporation of a Cyclopentadiene Unit into a Porphyrin Architecture

Incorporation of a cyclopentadiene moiety into the meso‐tetraarylporphyrin framework, using 1,3‐bis(arylhydroxymethyl)ferrocene as a synthon, resulted in the rational synthesis of a meso‐tetraaryl‐21‐carbaporphyrin. The molecular design preserves all essential virtues of the original tetrapyrrolic architecture of meso‐tetraarylporphyrin, including the perfect match between the ionic radii of an inserted metal and the size of the macrocyclic (CNNN) core, and steric protection provided by thoughtfully chosen meso‐aryl substituents. Its protonation of the inner core reveal an adjustable (trigonal versus tetrahedral) geometry.