Three isomeric Zn(II)–Sn(IV)–Zn(II)
porphyrin-based
triads (
T2
,
T3
, and
T4
) were
synthesized by the reaction of common Zn(II) porphyrins
(ZnL)
with different Sn(IV) porphyrins (
SnP
n
). The Sn(IV) porphyrin precursors differ with respect to the
position of the pyridyl-
N
atoms. All compounds were
characterized by
1
H NMR, UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy,
electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry, and field-emission
scanning electron microscopy measurements. In these structures, the
intramolecular cooperative metal–ligand coordination of the
3-pyridyl nitrogen in
SnP
3
with
axial
ZnL
and the π–π interactions
between the adjacent porphyrin triad are the determining factors affecting
the nanostructures of
T3
. Owing to the geometrical constraints
of the
SnP
2
center, this type
of interaction is not possible for
T2
. Therefore, only
the π–π interactions affect the self-assembly process.
In the case of
SnP
4
, intermolecular
coordinative interactions and then π–π interactions
are responsible for the nanostructure of
T4
. The morphology-dependent
photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye in aqueous solution
under visible light irradiation was observed for these photocatalysts,
and the degradation ratio of MO varied from 76 to 94% within 100 min.
Nanorod-shaped
T3
exhibited higher performance compared
to nanosphere
T2
and nanoflake
T4
.