SummaryAn arrangement for light induced vectorial charge separation is discussed in which the electron of the excited dye is transferred to an acceptor and the dye is recovered by electron tunneling through a high and narrow potential barrier. The possible relevance of the model in connection with photosynthesis is considered. Monolayers of Ru (11)-bipyridine complexes with long chain hydrocarbon substituents were investigated which may be useful as component in such arrangements.The surface pressure area isotherms of the monolayers were measured for various ionic compositions of the subphase, and the results demonstrate a strong effect of these ions on the structure of the layers. The layers were deposited on different substrates. The luminescence and its change by contacting the sample with water and by subsequent drying were found to be strongly dependent on the architecture of the layer assembly. Attempts of a photochemical cleavage of water with these assemblies failed.The pH-dependence of the absorption and the luminescence of a Ru (11) bipyridine-dicarboxylic acid complex in solution is interpreted by assuming that the electron in the excited state is localized in one pyridine part of the substituted ligand, the conjugation with the second half of the bipyridine carboxylic acid being negligible. Monolayer assemblies for measuring the energy transfer from the ruthenium complex to an adequate energy acceptor and from an adequate energy donor to the ruthenium complex were investigated. The results demonstrate that the deactivation of the excited ruthenium complex occurs mainly by passing the luminescent state.Assemblies were investigated for measuring the electron transfer from the excited ruthenium complex to an appropriate electron acceptor positioned in the carboxylate portion at the same interface as the electron donor. With bipyridinium ions as acceptor the ruthenium complex luminescence is quenched at average distances between acceptor molecules of about 10 A, while this distance is 30,60 und 75 8, for different cyanine dyes used instead of the ruthenium complex. A correlation between this distance and the ionization energy in the excited state of the donor is observed. Introduction. -In attempting a photolytic cleavage of water, arrangements of specific molecular organization are of interest which allow the photo-electron to shift along a distinct path. An electron source and an electron sink are obtained where the aimed reduction and oxidation processes, respectively, should take place, if adequate catalysts are present. This directionality of the motion of electrons can be achieved by providing an adequate potential profile of the insulating barrier. A thin and high barrier should separate the excited dye and the electron donor, and prevent the photo-electron to move towards the donor. A lower and broader barrier should allow the excited electron to reach the acceptor and prevent its return to the oxidized dye. The thin barrier between dye molecule and donor, on the other hand, should permit an elect...