UNUSUAL METALLOPORPHYRINS .3. INDUCED OXIDATION OF COBALT(2) AND IRON(2) PORPHYRINS BY UNSATURATED HYDROCARBONS

The induced oxidations of cobalt(II) and iron(II) porphyrins by unsaturated hydrocarbons are described. The oxidation reactions were characterized experimentally and by wavelength-absorption shifts in the visible spectra. Metal-olefin interactions were shown by cis- to trans-2-butene isomerizations. Unsaturated hydrocarbons are classified into two categories: class I, which cause immediate oxidation, include unsaturated hydrocarbons with isolated double or triple bonds; class II, which cause slower oxidation, include unsaturated hydrocarbons with conjugated double or triple bonds. The reversible solvent caused oxidation of the cobalt porphyrins is discussed. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.