Synthesis of a porphyrin-fullerene pinwheel

Org Lett. 2008 Apr 3;10(7):1377-80. doi: 10.1021/ol7029917. Epub 2008 Mar 4.

Abstract

We disclose the synthesis of a porphyrin-fullerene pinwheel that was subsequently observed by scanning tunneling microscopy. The molecule was designed to further our understanding of fullerene-surface interactions, directional control, and surface-rolling versus pivoting capabilities of this class of nanomachines. The inner porphyrin provides the square planar configuration that might lead to realization of the pinwheel spiraling motion on surfaces.