Synthesis and electrochemical investigation of azobenzene-substituted porphyrins

The synthesis of azobenzene-substituted porphyrins ( 3a-g ) is described. With respect to possible applications as model systems for photochemical reaction centers the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of the synthesized compounds were investigated. For compound 3e the obtained spectroscopic and electrochemical data confirm that a light driven electron transfer from a porphyrin to the azobenzene moiety is possible.