PORPHYRIN WHEELS

A simple method to prepare porphyrin ''wheels'' on a micrometer scale is described. It is possible to arrange several types of porphyrin der ivatives, including Protoporphyrin TX and Chlorophyll-a, in the form o f rings using this method. A mechanism for the formation of these type s of assemblies is proposed that is based on the generation of ''2D-ga s bubbles'' which induces aggregation of the porphyrin molecules.