Surface patterning with two-dimensional porphyrin supramolecular arrays

Monolayer arrays of a series of meso-tetra-substituted porphyrins containing octadecyloxy and carboxyl (or pyridyl) groups were prepared on the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface at the liquid/solid interface. It was found by means of scanning tunneling microscopy that some porphyrins from this family assemble into various patterns. Specifically, slightly undulated rows are obtained from 5,10,15-tris(4-octadecyloxyphenyl)-20-(4-pyridyl)porphyrin. Meanwhile, rows with more pronounced kinks result from 5-(4-carboxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris(4-octadecyloxyphenyl)porphyrin. The occurrence of the kinks is dependent on the arrangement of surrounding porphyrin molecules and is determined by intricate interplay between directional hydrogen-bonding interactions and packing forces, including molecule-molecule and molecule-substrate interactions. A double-layer structure is obtained from 5,10-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)-15,20-bis(4-octadecyloxyphenyl)porphyrin, probably through cyclic hydrogen bond formation. This work proves the concept that programmed surface patterning is possible by using porphyrins incorporating directional intermolecular interaction sites.