A Labile Metallo-Porphyrin as Tool to Control J-Aggregates Chiroptical Properties

The zinc(II) metal derivative of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS4) is quite labile and readily demetallates under acidic conditions, affording the parent diacid porphyrin in a monomeric form. The rate of this process is first order on [ZnTPPS4] and second order on [H+], allowing a precise control of the monomer release in solution. Under high ionic strength, this latter species is able to self-assemble into J-aggregates, whose kinetics of growth are largely modulated by pH. The aggregation kinetics have been treated according to a well-established model, in which the formation of an initial nucleus is the rate determining step preceding the autocatalytic growth of the whole assembly. The extinction spectra of the aggregates suggest the occurrence of a dipolar coupling mechanism very similar to that operating in metal nanoparticles. Spontaneous symmetry breaking takes place in these aggregates as evidenced by unusual circular dichroism spectra. The intensity and sign of the effect is controlled by the aggregation rate and therefore can be tuned through a proper choice of initial conditions.