Macrocyclic metal complexes as ladder polymers

Macrocyclic bis‐dienes and diendienophile were prepared in Diels‐Alder reactions starting from the bis‐dienophilic (hemiporphyrazinato)nickel complex 1 . Compound 1 was reacted either with the tetraene 2 or with tetra‐phenylcyclopentadienone ( 4 ). By combination of macrocyclic bis‐dienes and bis‐dienophiles, ladder‐type oligomers (e.g. 9 or 10 ) were synthesized. The described oligomers are precursors for the corresponding conjugated oligomers, which are of interest as organic conductors. The preparation of the corresponding phthalocyanine compounds e.g. 13–16 and a method for obtaining the wanted “D 2h ” phthalocyanine 19 without using tedious methods are reported.