Abstract
The mechanism of the formation of negative ions of phthalocyanine, porphyrins, and their metal derivatives is discussed, together with the effects of the tetrapyrrole ligand and the metal atom on the properties of the ions. The nature of the metal has a significant influence on the electronic structure of the negative ion, and thus on its properties, in particular its protonation, photoelimination of an electron from the ion, and its catalytic activity. Photodetachment of an electron combined with the spectral characteristics of the ions is considered as a method for investigating ionic forms.
The Review concludes with a list of 132 references.