Abstract

Porphyrins, composed of four pyrrole subunits, are highly important compounds, which are ubiquitous in biological systems. This book reviews the factors that influence physical and chemical properties of tetrapyrrole species and explores the ways to tune geometric and electronic structures of porphyrins in order to modify their electronic, optical and magnetic characteristics. - Explains how properties of porphyrin can be changed by varying the metal at its center or adding ligands onto the organic rings. - Introduces the perspectives of tetrapyrrole compounds as potential catalysts, sensors and anticancer agents.