Two-step access to bis--perfluoroalkyl-corroles towards -perfluoroacyl-ABC-corroles.

A solventless and acid-catalyzed condensation of -perfluoroalkyl-dipyrromethanes with selected benzaldehydes was used to prepare ten different bilanes that were isolated before their oxidation into -AB-corroles bearing two -perfluoroalkyl groups. Macrocycles bearing long chains (CF or CF) are key precursors to afford ABC-corroles having a -acyl substituent when subjected to a mild and basic hydrolysis affecting one of the alkyl substituents.