Formation of a Giant Supramolecular Porphyrin Array by Self-Coordination

The one-dimensional propagation of a multiporphyrin array up to a few hundred nanometers length has been achieved through the accumulated complementary coordination of bis(N-methylimidazolylporphyrinatozinc) (see picture). The array has close interelement distances, and a reversible adjustment of the length equilibrium can be achieved by either changing the media or the addition of a chain terminator.