Characterization of the Self-Assembly of meso-Tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (H sub(2)TPPS super(4-)) in Aqueous Solutions

• Published in: Biomacromolecules Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 60 - 72-60-72
• Main Authors: Hollingsworth, Javoris V, Richard, Allison J, Vicente, MGraca H, Russo, Paul S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 09.01.2012
• ISSN: 1525-7797; 1526-4602
• DOI: 10.1021/bm201078d

The aggregation of meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (H sub(2)TPPS super(4-)) in phosphate solutions was investigated as a function of pH, concentration, time, ionic strength, and solution preparation (either from dilution of a freshly prepared 2 mM stock or by direct preparation of mu M solution concentrations) using a combination of complementary analytical techniques. UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy indicated the formation of staggered, side-by-side (J-type) assemblies. Their size and self-associative behavior were determined using analytical ultracentrifugation and small-angle X-ray scattering. Our results indicate that in neutral and basic solutions of H sub(2)TPPS super(4-), porphyrin dimers and trimers are formed at micromolar concentrations and in the absence of NaCl to screen any ionic interactions. At these low concentrations and pH 4, the protonated H sub(4)TPPS super(2-) species self-assembles, leading to the formation of particularly stable aggregates bearing 25 plus or minus 3 macrocycles. At higher concentrations, these structures further organize or reorganize into tubular, rod-like shapes of various lengths, which were imaged by cryogenic and freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy. Micron-scale fibrillar aggregates were obtained even at micromolar concentrations at pH 4 when prepared from dilution of a 2 mM stock solution, upon addition of NaCl, or both.