A strategy in preparing a family of hexameric porphyrin cubes based on the interplay of Sn(IV)-O and Ru(II)-N interactions is described. In this first iteration, we have prepared the heptamer [SnIV(TPyP)·(4)2][Ru(CO)(TPP)]6 (4 = (E)-(3-(4-pyridyl)acrylate)) constituting a 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin (TPyP) core and 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) faces and compared its formation by stepwise and "one-pot" strategies where up to nine components are assembled in a single step in a regiospecific manner. In one example, the heptamer is formed around the template [SnIV(TPyP)·(4)2] bearing pyridine groups in which the nitrogens radiate octahedrally along each vertex. The ability to modulate the axial vertex through choice of pyridine is also demonstrated. 1H NMR measurements on [SnIV(TPyP)·(4)2][Ru(CO)(TPP)]6 indicate that the protons on the core template are extremely shielded as a result of the anisotropy of the peripheral porphyrin units. Various NMR techniques, including NOESY experiments, have been used to characterise the heptamer in solution.
