The synthesis and spectral properties of novel porphyrazines with eight (p-tolylmethylthio) and (o-tolylmethylthio) units

By cyclotetramerisation of 1,2-bis(p-tolylmethylthio) and 1,2-bis(o-tolylmethylthio) maleonitrile in the presence of magnesium butanolate, magnesium porphyrazinates carrying eight (p-tolylmethylthio) and (o-tolylmethylthio) units on the peripheral positions have been synthesised. Conversion of the magnesium porphyrazinates into the metal-free derivatives was achieved by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid. Further reactions of these products with copper(II) acetate, zinc(II) acetate and cobalt(II) acetate led to the metal porphyrazinates (M = Cu, Zn, Co).