Aromatic nucleophilic substitution (S(N)Ar) of meso-nitroporphyrin with azide and amines as an alternative metal catalyst free synthetic approach to obtain meso-N-substituted porphyrins.

Aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction of the nitro group of meso-nitroporphyrins with azide and various amines was achieved and represents an alternative procedure to C-N coupling reactions usually needed to obtain such meso-N-substituted porphyrins in good yields.