Molecular interactions in solvent-filled yoctowells (10− 24 L) and zeptowells (10− 21 L)

Rigid molecular monolayers made of diamido lipids form yoctowells with volumes of a few yoctoliters (1 yL = 10− 24 L or 1 nm3) around single porphyrin molecules. Wells with hydrophobic walls adsorb glucose-type edge amphiphiles, which then fill-up the wells. There is no vapour film. Hydrophilic wells with oligoethylene or oligoamide walls are effective as 3D-crown ligands (“thermodynamic trapping”). Three different porphyrins were sorted as stacks within the yoctowells, a methylammonium ring was established at their rim and fixated a fourth molecule at a longer distance. Zeptoliter wells on metal oxide surfaces may be useful to produce similar molecular assemblies on a larger scale.