Studies on the synthesis of oxygen carriers

Thesis



To mimic the properties of haemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb) it has been found necessary to synthesise a five-coordinate ferrous porphyrin with a protecting structure over the sixth coordination site at iron.

This thesis describes approaches to the synthesis of such a compound where the protecting structure is the "capped" moiety and where the base which occupies the fifth coordination site is held in position by two covalent linkages to the porphyrin. The preparation of the target molecule involved the synthesis of a new "capped" porphyrin and a series of difuncticnalised pyridines. These were then successfully coupled under high dilution conditions to give the "capped/strapped" porphyrin. Metallation and reduction completed the synthesis.

The behaviour of the ferrous complex in the presence of dioxygen was investigated. High stability toward irreversible oxidation was found. In the presence of oxygen the ferrous complex had a half-life in excess of 40h at room temperature.

Authors: Hall, S; Hall, Simon Roger

• Publication date: 1982
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-gap2kdmay
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hemoglobin; Oxygen; Porphyrins; Physiological transport; Myoglobin; Synthesis