To obtain insights into the factors that influence the electronic spectra of conjugated porphyrin systems, a series of porphyrins with fused phenanthrene subunits have been synthesized. 9-Nitrophenanthrene reacted with esters of isocyanoacetic acid in the presence of DBU in THF to give a series of phenanthro [9, 10-c] pyrroles 14 in good to excellent yields, and subsequent acid-catalyzed condensation with various (acetoxymethyl) pyrroles 18 ...
