Synthesis, Characterization, and Preliminary Host−Guest Binding Studies of Porphyrinic Molecular Squares Featuring fac-Tricarbonylrhenium(I) Chloro Corners

Luminescent multiporphyrin molecular square assemblies have been synthesized in high yield from Re(CO)5Cl and a highly soluble dipyridylporphyrin ligand. Both free-base and ZnII-metalated variants of squares have been synthesized. The ZnII-containing squares are capable of strongly binding selected polyimine ligands in CH2Cl2 solution. Advantage has been taken of the effect to construct pentaporphyrin host−guest assemblies.