Thermal stability of meso-substituted metal corroles in inert and oxidative media

The thermal stability of 5,10,15-triphenylcorrole as the simplest representative of meso-substituted corroles and its complexes with d-metals (Cu³⁺, Mn³⁺, Mn⁴⁺, Co³⁺, Co⁴⁺, and Zn²⁺) is studied for the first time via thermogravimetry in oxidizing and inert atmospheres. It is shown that corroles, both as free ligands and in the form of metal complexes, are less thermally stable than porphyrins with a similar structure. It is found that if the free ligands of porphyrins are thermally more stable with respect to thermal oxidation than d-metal complexes, the thermal stability of metal corroles can be both lower and higher than those of free ligands. It is concluded that the order of thermal stability of compounds MnCor < CoCor < H₃Cor < ZnCorH < CuCor is reversed upon moving from an oxidizing to an inert medium. It is shown that corroles complexes with many d-metals (Co, Mn, and others) readily participate in extracoordination reactions with electron-donating solvents, e.g., DMF, as is indicated by spectrophotometry and thermogravimetry.