Efficient synthesis of porphycene

Unsubstituted porphycene was prepared in 65% yield from 2,7,12,17- tetra-tert-butylporphycene. Taking into account the yield of the substrate, this represents more than a five-fold improvement compared to the methodology used to date. Enhanced availability of the parent porphycene may be exploited in synthetic procedures based on derivatizationof the unsubstituted compound.