Zinc–meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrin and its Chlorotoluene Channel-Type Clathrate with π–π and C—H...π Interaction Modes Stabilizing the Porphyrin Host Lattice

The title compound, (meso-5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolyl­porphyrinato-N,N′,N′′,N′′′)zinc(II), [Zn(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)], displays a high tendency to form complexes and clathrates with other components from various environments, and is a useful building block for the construction of heteromolecular solids. Modes of its intermolecular assembly in the pure compound and in its clathrate with m-chlorotoluene, [Zn(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)].C₇H₇Cl, have been characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The clathrate appears to be stabilized by π-π stacking and cooperative C-H...π interactions between the tolyl substituents and contains large interporphyrin channels extending throughout the crystal.

-1