Multitopic Corannulene–Porphyrin\nHosts for\nFullerenes: A Three-Layer Scaffold for Precisely Designed Supramolecular\nEnsembles

A method to synthesize cofacial dimeric porphyrins bearing\neight\ncorannulene units has been developed. It relies on the stability of\noctahedral CO-capped Ru(II) complexes linked by N-donor ligands. This\nspecific arrangement provides an optimal scaffold to accommodate fullerenes\nby imposing corannulene groups at a precise distance and relative\norientation. Their capabilities for C<sub>60</sub> recognition have\nbeen thoroughly assessed, revealing that each system can encapsulate\nup to four guests, giving rise to a compact supramolecular van der\nWaals complex echoing a discrete donor–acceptor–donor\ntrilayer offering significant potential properties for further exploitation.