Straightforward and controlled synthesis of porphyrin-phthalocyanine-porphyrin heteroleptic triple-decker assemblies

A versatile and straightforward protocol is disclosed for controlled synthesis of complex lanthanide-bridged heteroleptic porphyrin–phthalocyanine triple-decker assemblies. Two porphyrins, linked by a flexible spacer chain of intermediate length, sequentially capture lanthanide ions and a phthalocyanine to efficiently form the triple-decker complex. The bridge directs assembly, but also controls the mobility of the central macrocycle and further imparts a fully eclipsed arrangement of all three rings.