X-ray crystal structure of a supramolecular network of an octahydroxyporphyrin: 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3',5'-dihydroxy-phenyl)porphine. Symmetrically substituted octa-hydroxy porphyrins have been developed as solid-state building blocks for nanoporous materials. The position of the peripheral hydroxyl groups, the choice of metallo- or free base porphyrin, and the nature of the solvate (i.e., guest) dramatically influence structural features. The channels are 0.65 x 0.65 nm between the columns, and the pore volume is exceptionally large at 56% of the unit cell. Courtesy of Kenneth S. Suslick, P. Bhyrappa, and Scott R. Wilson, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Bhyrappa, P.; Suslick, K. S. "Surpramolecular Networks of Octahydroxy Porphyrins," Supramolec. Chem., 1998, 9, 169-174.