Structural Variation in Porphyrin Pillared Homologous Series: Influence of Distinct Coordination Centers for Pillars on Framework Topology

A new series of porphyrin paddlewheel frameworks (PPFs) has been assembled from 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyl)-21H,23H-porphine (TCPP), Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, and organic pillars such as N,N′-di-(4-pyridyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxydiimide (DPNI) and 3,6-di-4-pyridyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (DPT). Here we report the synthesis and structural characterization of five new PPFs based on 2D porphyrin paddlewheel grid. In this homologous series, the stacking patterns of such 2D porphyrin sheets are varied and exhibit two new structures, namely, bilayer and interpenetrated AA stacking pattern, in addition to the ABBA pattern previously observed.