Multitopic corannulene–porphyrin hosts for fullerenes: a three-layer scaffold for precisely designed supramolecular ensembles

Abstract

A method to synthesize cofacial dimeric porphyrins bearing eight corannulene units has been developed. It relies on the stability of octahedral CO-capped Ru(II) complexes linked by N-donor ligands. This specific arrangement provides an optimal scaffold to accommodate fullerenes by imposing corannulene groups at a precise distance and relative orientation. Their capabilities for C60 recognition have been thoroughly assessed, revealing that each system can encapsulate up to four guests, giving rise to a compact supramolecular van der Waals complex echoing a discrete donor–acceptor–donor trilayer offering significant potential properties for further exploitation.