N-Alkylcorroles

A series of inner core $N$-alkylcorroles were synthesized and characterized. The introduction of both linear and branched alkyl groups was achieved, demonstrating the quite large scope of the reaction. Polyalkylation results in the formation of the $N$-21,$N$-22 regioisomer, although the introduction of the second alkyl group is less facile than previously observed in the case of the methyl substituent. Complete functionalization of the inner core nitrogens has been investigated, but only the N,N${}^{\prime }$,N${}^{\mathrm{\prime \prime }}$-trimethyl derivatives were obtained. The characterization of these species demonstrated a different arrangement of the methyl groups to the macrocyclic plane, which is peculiar when compared with the conformation of the analogous porphyrin derivatives. These $N$-alkylcorroles should prove to be of potential interest as ligands for various metal ions.