<i>meso</i>-5,15-Bis[3-(isopropylidenegalactopyranoxy)phenyl]-10,20-bis(4-methylphenyl)porphyrin

The crystal structure of a glycosyl-ated porphyrin (<b>P_Gal2</b>) system, C₇₀H₇₀N₄O₁₂, where two iso-propyl-idene protected galactose moieties are attached to the <i>meso</i> position of a substituted tetra-aryl porphyrin is reported. This structure reveals that the parent porphyrin is planar, with the galactose moieties positioned above and below the porphyrin macrocycle. This orientation likely prevents porphyrin-porphyrin H-type aggregation, potentially enhancing its efficiency as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy. Notable non-bonding C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π inter-actions among adjacent <b>P_Gal2</b> systems are observed in this crystal network. Additionally, the tolyl groups of each porphyrin can engage in π-π inter-actions with the delocalized π-systems of neighboring porphyrins.