A facile synthesis of stilbene-linked porphyrin dimers via the Wittig reaction

A facile synthesis of free-base and metalated stilbene-linked porphyrin dimers via the Wittig reaction is reported. 5-(4-chloromethylphenyl)-10,15,20-triphenyl porphyrin was prepared by direct chloromethylation of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin as the useful precursor for both the porphyrin-derived Wittig reagent and the monoformylporphyrin. It was found that the stilbene-linked porphyrin dimers were formed with a remarkable sterochemical preference in the cis-form. Their absorption and emission spectra were measured.