Dioxygen transport and storage

Metal complexes of the porphyrins have been studied for many years. Such attention is not surprising, since particular derivatives play a central role in photosynthesis, dioxygen transport and storage as well as other fundamental processes such as electron transfer (Smith, 1975 Dolphin, 1978-9). Indeed, there are few compounds found in nature which can compare with the diversity of biochemical functions exhibited by the porphyrins. 

Porphyrins and metalloporphyrins have been the subject of numerous investigations over the past century. This attention is not surprising if one considers that particular derivatives play central roles in essential biological processes such as photosynthesis, dioxygen transport and storage, and electron transfer. 

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