Question

What prevents simple iron poryphins from functioning as O₂ carriers? How has this problem been avoided in successful synthetic Fe-porphyrin O₂ carriers?

Answer 1

Porphyrins are derivatives of porphine substituents.

The imide group in the porphine reducing the cell environment. Fe(II) where as the O₂ concentration is high that increases the oxidation of Fe(II).

Fe-porphines easily forms dimers.

These are highlry aromatic compounds.

The steric hinderence of de-oxy form prevents iron entering in to the plane of ring.

Attach the rigid system to five co-ordinate system. They reduce mobility of ligands.

These are synthesized by the separation of isomeric mixtures.

Acidic nitration deactivates the porphirine pheriphery.

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