Encapsulation of phthalocyanine-C60 fullerene conjugates into metallosupramolecular subphthalocyanine capsules: A turn of the screw

Abstract

In this communication, encapsulation studies between metallosupramolecular capsule 1, formed by 2 subph-thalocyanines (SubPcs) coordinated to 3 metallic centers, and phthalocyanine (Pc)-C60 fullerene conjugates 2-5 have been carried out. It was shown that the encapsulation of the C60 moiety by the SubPc cage occurred exclusively for dyads 2-4, whereas it was not observed in the case of triad 5. The rigidity of the linker between the Pc and the fullerene unit proved to have an important impact in the complex formation. Complex formation was tested in 2 different solvents, where the importance of solvophobic effects was highlighted. The resulting multicomponent supramolecular systems represent a unique combination of photoactive moieties where covalent and supramolecular chemistry coexist.