Metalloporphyrin heterodimers,molecular bilayer fibers and monolayer leaflets

Amphiphilic metalloporphyrins assemble in water to form supramolecular fibers, which have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Loose octopus porphyrin fibers can be doped with hydrophobic electron acceptors, metalloporphyrin monomolecular sheets are crystalline. Charge separation occurs in amino porphyrin fibers without added electron acceptors. Bolaamphiphilic porphyrins with four pyridinyl or methyl pyridinium groups in β-pyrrolic positions have been synthesized. The regioisomer mixture is very soluble in water (≌ 0.1 M) and is ideally suited to form heterodimers with negatively charged ms-tetrasubstituted porphyrins. Bimetallic porphyrinate pairs are described. The zinc complex is stable down to pH 1.0. Regioisomer II forms well-defined molecular monolayer leaflets in bulk water at pH 2.5. The surface structure of such monolayers is discussed. It consists of a large cationic plane and hydrophobic edges. Possible applications are discussed shortly.