Covalent nano-clip and nano-box compounds based on free base porphyrins

Novel nano-clip and nano-box compounds were obtained by reaction between dibromomethane and 5,15-di[p-(9-methoxytriethylenenoxy)phenyl]-10,20-di[p-hydroxyphenyl]porphyrin. The molecular architecture varies from a co-facial (nano-clip) to a four wall-box (nano-box) structure. The products were characterized by 1H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis.