The availability of multiporphyrin arrays with
defined architectures and good solubility in organic solvents
is essential for a wide variety of physical studies. Herein
the synthesis of linear multiporphyrin arrays (triads, tetrad,
pentad) bearing solubilizing 7-tridecyl (swallowtail) groups
is presented. The rodlike arrays are composed of zinc
porphyrins at the termini and 1, 2, or 3 free base porphyrins
at the core. The free base porphyrins in the tetrad and
pentad are joined to each other via p-phenylene linkers
whereas the zinc porphyrins in each array are attached to
the core free base porphyrins via 1,4-diphenylethyne linkers.
The arrays are designed for studies of interporphyrin
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