meso-Alkylidenyl dibenzihexaphyrins: synthesis and protonation studies

The synthesis and characterization of the alkylidenyl-dibenzihexaphyrins bearing four indanedionyl groups at the meso-positions linked via four meso-exocyclic double bonds is reported. Treatment with trifluoroacetic acid at 50 °C leads to C(α)-protonation of the two indanedionyl groups resulting increased macrocyclic conjugation with dramatic red shifted absorption spectra.