Supramolecular self-assembly of protoporphyrin IX amphiphiles into worm-like and particular aggregates

A protoporphyrin IX amphiphile bearing hydrophobic-hydrophilic functional regions was synthesised by coupling protoporphyrin IX with methoxytriethylene glycol using (3-(dimethylamino)propyl)ethyl carbodiimide hydrochloride/1-hydroxybenzotriazole followed by a double-cross metathesis with 1-undecene using second-generation Grubb's catalyst. The self-assembling behaviour of the amphiphile in varying concentration of CHCl3/MeOH was investigated, with well-defined nanostructures described as worm-like fibrils and particular aggregates being formed in 1:1 and 1:9 v/v of MeOH/CHCl3, respectively.