Hierarchically controlled protonation/aggregation of a porphyrin–spermine derivative

Hierarchically controlled protonation/aggregation of a porphyrin–spermine derivative†

Chiara Maria Antonietta Gangemi,^a Rosalba Randazzo,^a Maria Elena Fragalà,^a Gaetano Andrea Tomaselli,^a Francesco Paolo Ballistreri,^a Andrea Pappalardo,^a Rosa Maria Toscano,^a Giuseppe Trusso Sfrazzetto,^a Roberto Purrello*^a and Alessandro D'Urso*^a

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* Corresponding authors

^a Department of Chemical Science, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
E-mail: adurso@unict.it

Abstract

We designed and synthesized a new porphyrin–spermine derivative that self-assembles under hierarchical control. Its aggregation processes depend on the protonation of both the spermine units and central core nitrogen atoms. Therefore, the time duration of pH titrations and/or the direct protonation of a specific site allow for choosing the desired aggregation state of the system.