Poly (ethylene oxide) tethered trans-porphyrin: Synthesis, self-assembly with fullerene (C60) and DNA binding studies

trans -Porphyrin containing phenyl group at both ends was synthesized via corresponding dipyrromethanes (DPM) in the presence of TFA and DDQ. The polyethyleneglycole (PEG) chains were attached at the trans positions of ABA type porphyrinic moiety. The prepared PEGylated porphyrin (with PEG arms at the periphery) P-(PEO) 2 was self-assembled into spheres of uniform diameter while their DMF solution was dialyzed into water. Furthermore, the addition of fullerene (C 60 ) to P-(PEO) 2 caused complexation between porphyrin and fullerene which lead to interesting and trenchant morphology having worm like lateral aggregates. The assembly process and the as-prepared edifices were characterized using UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and the morphology of these assemblies was investigated using transmission electron microscope (TEM). Furthermore, the DNA binding with porphyrin aggregates has been demonstrated via electrochemical (cyclic voltammetric) response of screen printed electrodes modified . The obvious increase in redox current disclosed the intermolecular interactions of the adducts with the DNA. These studies of unprecedented adducts can further be explored for potential applications in biosensors .