Blooming of confused porphyrinoids--fusion, expansion, contraction, and more confusion.

This article introduces an overview of progressively developing chemistry of N-confused porphyrin and related macrocycles. Study on confusion results in discovery of fusion and combination with expansion or contraction has provided uniquely important classes of porphyrinoids. Syntheses, properties and coordination chemistry of such porphyrinoids are briefly described. Possibilities in applications are also mentioned. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012