Solventless syntheses of mesotetraphenylporphyrin: new experiments for a greener organic chemistry laboratory curriculum

Two solvent-free syntheses of the macrocycle mesotetraphenylporphyrin are presented that are optimized to teach greener chemistry in the undergraduate teaching labs. The preparations are examples of a greener organic chemistry laboratory curriculum being developed at the University of Oregon that strives to teach fundamental chemical concepts and essential laboratory skills in the context of green chemistry. These examples provide students the opportunity to explore the green chemical concepts of solventless chemical synthesis (solid-supported and gas-phase reactions) and use of microwaves in chemical synthesis. At the same time the students learn essential laboratory skills such as column and thin layer chromatographies as well as optical spectroscopy.