Microwaving Metals: Inserting Metals into Porphyrin Ligands using Microwave Methods

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 19 (2014) pp 296-298

Microwaving Metals: Inserting Metals into Porphyrin Ligands using Microwave Methods

Anne M. Arnold, Douglas J. Kwak, L. Elise Löfgren, Brittany M. Walters, Ashley L. Wilt, Selamawit A. Woldemeskel, and Edward P. Zovinka*

Saint Francis University Chemistry Department, 117 Evergreen Drive Loretto, PA 15940, ezovinka@francis.edu
Received June 20, 2014. Accepted August 7, 2014.

Published: 3 October 2014

Abstract. A green chemistry activity for an upper level, one semester, inorganic chemistry course yields metalloporphyrins using microwave reaction methods. A variety of metals ions (including Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Mn²⁺) are inserted into biologically relevant porphyrin ligand tetraphenylporphyrin (H₂TPP) using only ethyl acetate and ethanol as solvents, often with minimal work up. In addition to studying green and microwave methodology, the students use ¹H NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectrometers to characterize their materials.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; inorganic chemistry; green chemistry

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: ezovinka@francis.edu )

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