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[email protected] Current Organic Synthesis, 2014, 11, 89-109 89 Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and Reactivity of Porphyrins Marta Pineiro* Departamento de Química, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua Larga 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal Abstract: This paper describes past and current microwave-assisted methodologies for the synthesis of porphryins and porphyrin derivatives, including porphyrin precursors such as dipyrromethanes. The review is organized in two main topics, porphyrin synthesis and porphyrin reactivity under microwave irradiation and covers solventless and solution reactions. Keywords: Hydroporphyrin, metalloporphyrin, microwave irradiation, microwave synthesis, porphyrin, tetrapyrrolic macrocycles. 1. INTRODUCTION stituted beta-porphyrins were obtained via cyclisation of linear The acknowledgement that porphyrins and related compounds tetrapyrroles, b-bilenes and a,c-biladienes [15] could be referred. had essential functionalities in nature prompted the interest in mul- Microwave-assisted organic chemistry has grown in the last tiple scientific domains, from the deeper comprehension of those decades as a valuable and versatile tool for organic chemists [16]. functions to the investigation of new applications which comprise In general, compared to conventional heating methods, microwave several analytical uses [1], dye-sensitised solar cells [2], molecular heating has been shown to drastically reduce reaction times, in- electronics and non-linear optics [3], sensors of small molecules crease reaction yields and enhance product selectivity, mostly re- such as O2, NO, NH3 or phosphines [4], catalysts in oxidation and ducing undesirable side reaction products. Microwave irradiation is, photo-oxidation reactions [5], and several biological applications in our days, fully recognized as a useful tool for organic synthesis such as photodynamic therapy of cancer, imaging and boron neu- used in multi-step total synthesis [17], medicinal chemistry and tron-capture therapy [6].