Hierarchical self-assembly of a host-guest porphyrin array

Abstract

The construction of a porphyrin array by a stepwise, hierarchical self-assembly process is described. Four molecular clip host molecules are complexed, in a solid state self-assembly process, to one porphyrin guest molecule. When dissolved in chloroform, the 4:1 host-guest complexes spontaneously self-assemble into an array in which the porphyrins are organized in a cofacial stack. The ensemble is stabilized by a combination of π-π interactions between the porphyrins and between the aromatic surfaces of the host molecules.