Reaction of meso-tetra-p-X-phenylporphin, H2T(X)PP with cobalt compound afford CoT(Cl)PP (1) and CoT(OMe)PP (2).
Meso-tetra-p-chloro-phenylporphin, CoT(Cl)PP (1) constitutes the better active catalyst than CoT(OMe)PP (2).
The cobalt complexes with more positive CoII/I redox potentials show lower activity for hydrogen generation.