abstract |
A β,β'-dihydroxy meso-substituted chlorin, bacteriochlorin or isobacteriochlorin compound having formula (I) or (II), wherein M is a metal. A novel method for synthesizing the compound of formula (I) or (II) comprises the steps of: a) osmylating a J.J'-unsubstituted, meso-substituted porphyrin to form an osmate ester at the β,β'-position; and b) reducing the osmate ester to form the corresponding β,β'-dihydroxy meso-substituted chlorin, bacteriochlorin or isobacteriochlorin of formula (I) or (II). |