A calcium-bridged porphyrin coordination network

The hydrothermal assembly of a very stable porphyrin network with nanoscale cavities is described. A tightly packed and interpenetrated, linear polymeric framework was observed in the solid-state X-ray structure of freebase 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin coordinated to calcium(II) ions. Strong hydrogen-bonding interactions between the coordination polymers form a two-dimensional network. Perpendicular bands interpenetrate generating an unusual three-dimensional box that clathrates a pyridine molecule. Copyright (C) 2002 Society of Porphyrins & Phthalocyanines.