The achiral syn folded conformer (face-to-face) of the ethane-bridged bis(Z
n porphyrin) gradually transforms into the chiral extended anti form in the
presence of enantiopure guest molecules (alcohols or amines) upon lowering
the temperature from 293 to 183 K. The mechanism of the supramolecular chi
rality induction is based upon the formation of right- or left-handed screw
diastereomers of the anti form. The split absorption maxima which are caus
ed by the exciton coupling of the corresponding B transitions match the bis
igned Cotton effects. The amplitude of the CD bands is found to be dependen
t on the bulk and ligation strength of the chiral guest, while the sign of
the couplets is observed to be determined by the absolute configuration of
the external ligand. The formation of the screw structure in the anti confo
rmation is also confirmed by H-1 NMR.