Through the simultaneous use of three orthogonal dynamic covalent reactions, namely disulfide, boronate, and acyl hydrazone formation, we conceived a facile and versatile protocol to spatially organize tailored chromophores, which absorb in the blue, red, and yellow regions, on a preprogrammed α-helix peptide. This approach allowed the assembly of the dyes in the desired ratio and spacing, as dictated by both the relative positioning and distribution of the recognition units on the peptide scaffold. Steady-state UV/Vis absorption and emission studies suggest an energy transfer from the yellow and red donors to the blue acceptor. A molecular dynamics simulation supports the experimental findings that the helical structure is maintained after the assembly and the three dyes are confined in defined conformational spaces.

Photo-release of triphenylphosphine from a sulfonamide azobenzene ruthenium-arene complex was exploited to activate Pd II Cl 2 into Pd 0 catalyst, for the photo-initiation of Sonogashira cross-coupling. The transformation was initiated on demand -by using simple white LED strip lights -with a high temporal response and the ability to control reaction rate by changing the irradiation time. Various substrates were successfully applied to this photo-initiated cross-coupling, thus illustrating the wide functional-group tolerance of our photo-caged catalyst activator, without any need for sophisticated photochemistry apparatus.

AzaBenzannulated perylenediimide (AzaBPDI) dyes were synthesized in high yields via a new reaction sequence involving an imine condensation followed by visible light-induced photocyclization. The large scope and efficiency of this alternative to the Pictet–Spengler reaction are demonstrated, allowing easy preparation of dimeric AzaBPDI as potential non-fullerene acceptors for organic solar cells.