β-Unsubstituted 5-monoazaporphyrin and its derivatives

[Formula: see text]-Unsubstituted 5-monoazaporphyrin (MAP) copper complex 10,15,20-tritolyl-5-monoazaporphyrinato copper(II) (Cu-MAP) 3 was synthesized by reaction of 1,19-dibromotetrapyrrane with NaN3-CuI in good yield. Following successive reactions of demetallation, metallation and bromination, the important precursor 3,7-dibromo-10,15,20-tritolyl-5-monoazaporphyrinato nickel(II) ([Formula: see text],[Formula: see text]′-dibromo Ni-MAP) 6was prepared smoothly. Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions of 6 with three organic borides resulted in the “earring” Ni-MAP 7, pyrrole bridged Ni-MAP oligomers 8 and 9, and benzene bridged Ni-MAP oligomers 10 and 11, respectively. The structures of MAPs 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Optical and electrochemical studies were performed to understand their electronic properties.