Triphyrin(2.1.1) with Tunable Skeletons and Properties Based on the Confusion Approach

The N-confused [14]triphyrin(2.1.1) 1 was facilely synthesized and readily converted into N-confused triphyrinone(2.1.1) 2 and α-methoxy-substituted 1-OMe. Subsequent acid-promoted ring-opening of 1-OMe afforded vacatatriphyrin(2.1.1) 3. Further treatment of 3 with CuCl₂·2H₂O resulted in ring-closure and tetrachlorination to furnish 2H-triphyrin(2.1.0) 4. As a result of the diverse structures achieved through the confusion approach, the aromaticity, absorption, and electrochemical properties could be effectively tuned.