Porphyrin dimers as receptors for the selective binding of oligosaccharides

Two meso–meso-linked porphyrin dimers 1 and 2 with multiple hydrogen bond forming groups were prepared and their binding with saccharides was studied by UV–vis and fluorescence spectrophotometric titrations. Both receptors display selectivity for oligosaccharides over monosaccharides. The thermodynamic parameters of the binding processes were obtained and an enthalpy–entropy compensation relationship was found in the studied system.