Octakis(ferrocene)-substituted porphyrazines

Metal-free porphyrazine and metal porphyrazinates (M = Mg, Cu, Co or Zn) substituted with eight ferrocene moieties on the periphery through flexible alkylthio-bridges have been synthesised in a multi-step reaction sequence. The new compounds have been characterised by elemental analyses, i.r., H-1- and C-13-n.m.r., u.v.-vis. and mass spectra. The electrochemical investigation of porphyrazines indicates that all the ferrocene moieties are oxidised at the same potential, confirming the lack of any interaction among ferrocene groups or between ferrocenes and the porphyrazine core.