Electrochemical and Spectroelectrochemical Properties of Free-Base Pyridyl- and N-Alkyl-4-Pyridylporphyrins in Nonaqueous Media

Twelve structurally related pyridyl and meso-N-methylpyridylporphyrin derivatives are investigated electrochemically in different nonaqueous media. The UV/Vis spectrum of each newly investigated porphyrin was measured before and after electro-reduction and, based on this data, the site of electron transfer is proposed. An interaction occurs between the meso-pyridyl or meso-N-alkyl-4-pyridyl substituents and the porphyrin p-ring system, the magnitude of which depends upon the number of linked pyridyl or N-alkyl-4-pyridyl groups in the compound, the solvent, the supporting electrolyte, and/or other anions added to the solution.