Irreversible or reversible self-assembly procedures yield robust zirconium (IV)-porpyrinphosphonate cones or microm-long fibers of monomolecular thickness.

Stepwise, irreversible self-assembly of porphyrinphosphonates by zirconium(IV) produces cones of 20 nm height and similar widths. Side-on growth cannot be prevented. Reversible fiber growth without metal ions gave micrometer long fibers on mica of 2 nm width, because charge repulsion allowed only for end-on growth.