Porphyrins and metalloporphyrins are widespread in nature and are of great biological significance. Their most important representatives are chlorophyll, which, as part of the
protein-lipid complex, performs the initial stage of photosynthesis in green plants, and
blood heme, which, in combination with the protein globin, performs the reverse binding
and transportation of oxygen to living cells. Metalloporphyrins are also present in some
enzymes – catalases, peroxidases, etc. At present, interest in porphyrins and their metal
complexes is extremely great. Results obtained in studies of the chemistry and properties
of these compounds are discussed in detail in a number of monographs [1-10].
