This paper reports the unique influence of added [60]fullerene on the gelation ability of Zn(II) porphyrin
appended cholesterols 5a
−
d. At 5 °C 5a with a (CH2)2 spacer gelated aromatic hydrocarbons such as
benzene, toluene, and p-xylene (2.55 × 10-2 mol dm-3), whereas at 20 °C these transparent gels were
changed into sols. In the presence of [60]fullerene (0.5 equiv) the gel structure of 5a was maintained even
at 20 °C in these solvents. A similar gel stabilization effect was also observed for 5c, which has a (CH2)4
spacer. In contrast, 5b and 5d with a (CH2)3 and a (CH2)5 spacer, respectively, could not gelate these
solvents even in the presence of [60]fullerene. Detailed spectroscopic studies established that the
reinforcement of the gel structure is rationalized in terms of the intermolecular Zn(II) porphyrin−[60]fullerene interaction, which is possible only in the gel phase. When the concentration of 5a and 5c in
toluene was kept constant (0.20 mol dm-3), the sol−gel phase transition temperature increased with an
increase in the number of equivalents of added [60]fullerene up to 0.5 equiv and then maintained constant
above 0.5 equiv. These results consistently support the view that two porphyrin planes in 5a and 5c
interact with one [60]fullerene molecule to form a 2:1 Zn(II) porphyrin/[60]fullerene sandwich complex.
The distinct bathochromic shift of the Soret absorption band, which was found in the gel samples of 5a
and 5c in the presence of [60]fullerene in toluene, indicates that the intermolecular electronic interaction
does exist between the Zn(II) porphyrin moiety and the [60]fullerene in the gel phase. The circular dichroism
(CD) spectra of the gel samples of 5a and 5c in the presence of [60]fullerene showed the reproducible and
reliable Cotton effects around the Soret absorption band. The observed CD intensities were much stronger
than those obtained from the sol samples of 5a and 5c in the absence of [60]fullerene. The results suggest
that the Zn(II) porphyrin moieties in 5a and 5c are enforced to orient chirally in the gel phase by the
interaction with [60]fullerene. In particular, the highly stabilized gel sample of 5a obtained by the addition
of [60]fullerene showed a negative excitation-coupling-type CD spectrum, indicating that the porphyrin
chromophores are oriented in an anticlockwise direction. The aggregate structures formed in the organogel
systems of 5a and 5c were also discussed by means of infrared spectroscopic measurements and scanning
electron microscopy observations. Thus, this is the first example for organogel stabilization utilizing a
Zn(II) porphyrin−[60]fullerene interaction.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.