Functional Arrays for Light Energy Capture and Charge Separation

Abstract

This article draws, with a simplified but rigorous approach, the typical procedure for the design and optimization of functional multicomponent structures for light to chemical energy conversion for two series of multipartite structures based on prototypical chromophores: polypyridyl metal complexes and porphyrinoids. Starting from a photophysical study performed by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic methods, the full deactivation dynamics of the light-absorbing chromophore(s) are disclosed. The preferred deactivation step (electron transfer in this case) is then optimized. This can be done by simply operating on the solvent, but also by changing structure/components that can alter electronic and nuclear factors, via continuous feedback with the research groups in charge of the synthesis. With a presentation suitable for a wide audience, it is here discussed how the effective design of functional multicomponent structures for charge separation can be achieved.

Strategies for Corrole Functionalization

“…As a result, it became known that such compounds can play a role in oxidation or group transfer catalysis, in dye-sensitized solar cells, also as corrole based sensors, and in medicinal applications (photodynamic therapy of cancer, inactivation of bacteria, viruses and fungi, biomedical imaging, MRI contrast, etc. ). − The potential applications already demonstrated are very significant and point out to new developments and further studies in all those areas. To reach such a goal, researchers must have access to corrole derivatives containing appropriate substituents mainly at the meso or β positions.…”

Functionalization of 10-azacorroles: nitration, bromination and acylation

“…In recent years, corroles have been receiving increasing attention due to their utility in many scientific and technological fields and in many applications such as oxidation catalysis, reduction catalysis, group transfer catalysis, corrole-based sensors, dye-sensitized solar cells and medicine. 3,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Since 1999, considerable research has been directed towards the development of synthetic strategies to functionalize available meso-triarylcorroles. For decades, the functionalization chemistry of corroles has made significant progress.…”

“…In recent years, corroles have been receiving increasing attention due to their utility in many scientific and technological fields and in many applications such as oxidation catalysis, reduction catalysis, group transfer catalysis, corrole-based sensors, dye-sensitized solar cells and medicine. 3,16–25…”

Homoleptic complexes of a porphyrinatozinc(ii)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligand

“…Conjugates incorporating 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (tpy) are attractive targets for the study of electron and energy-transfer processes and photosynthetic models. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Functionalization of porphyrin cores with 2,2'-bipyridine 9,10,11,12,13,14,15 or 1,10-phenanthroline 16,17 gives access to systems which can assemble heteroleptic tris(chelate) metal complexes, and a number of multinuclear arrays have been described incorporating pyridine-decorated porphyrins. 18,19,20,21,22 An alternative approach to assembly of metalloporphyrin-centred conjugates makes use of the axial coordination site of the metalloporphyrin, for example by the binding of metal complexes of 4'-(4-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine.…”