The ease of formation of porphyrins and calix[4]pyrroles from simple starting materials coupled to their interesting and attractive properties has attracted the attention of the chemical but also of the material science community for a long time.
Our approach follows two lines. In one line of our research the chemical modification of calix[4]pyrroles is studied systematically. We have been able to transform the calix[4]pyrrole macrocycle which is a reasonable good anion binder into an efficient ligand for transition metals. The synthesis of this derivative is at the moment not very efficient, however the synthesis is short and the starting materials very cheap. The properties of these novel metal complexes are studied and their use in further reactions is part of your effort.
The second line of our studies uses the well known property of disk-like molecules to form discotic mesophases. Our initial goal is to obtain extended porphyrins, which should form more stable and more tight mesophases. The columns should therby acquire better eletron transport porperties. Discotic mesophases have been shown to be interesting materials for photovoltaic cells, but also for other applications.