Noncovalent interactions in acid–porphyrin complexes

Abstract

This report examines the dynamics and the complexation behaviour of ‘acid porphyrin’ systems in solution and provides a valuable insight into the mechanisms for both porphyrin protonation and metallation. The synthesis of mono- and bis-substituted porphyrins appended with long alkyl chain fluorinated acids permitted intramolecular proton transfer to be observed and macrocyclic conformational control to be achieved. Furthermore, acid–porphyrin complexation is shown to be compatible with established metal–ligand interactions in the generation of novel supramolecular assemblies in solution.