A dynamic library of porphyrinic true nanorings.

Behind the wheel: a 10 nm diameter nanoring, containing 24 porphyrin units, has been created by a Vernier-templating self-organization of hexa- or octadentate templating units and linear covalently linked porphyrin oligomers. Coordination of a bidentate ligand triggers a conversion of the molecular nanocylinder into a molecular nanoannulus to afford the dimeric species, which can adopt a water wheel structure.