Application of time-resolved polarization fluorescence spectroscopy in the femtosecond range to photosynthetic systems

Time-resolved polarization fluorescence spectroscopy in the femtosecond range was applied to a photosynthetic antenna system. Specific signals of excited states were obtained by simultaneous measurements of fluorescence rise and decay curves and polarized spectroscopy. Relaxation processes of carotenoids, energy transfer from carotenoids to chlorophyll (Chl) a, and energy migration among pigment pools of Chl a and Chl b were clearly resolved. Two new characteristics of carotenoid molecules were revealed only by anisotropy measurements. A new singlet excited state between the well known S2 (1Bu(+)) and S1 (2Ag(-)) states was resolved by an intermediary anisotropy (r(t) = 0.30) for siphonaxanthin in chloroplasts of Codium fragile. Time-dependent changes in anisotropy with an initial value of 0.52 (r(0) = 0.52) were recorded during the relaxation of lutein molecules in the light-harvesting complexes II of Arabidopsis thaliana, and this was interpreted as a strong interaction between two lutein molecules in the pigment-protein complexes. Other examples of the application of this method were also discussed.     

Metal ion-dependent fluorescent dynamics of photoexcited zinc-porphyrin and zinc-myoglobin modified with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

The reconstituted zinc-myoglobin (ZnMb) dyads, ZnMb-[M(II)(edta)], have been prepared by incorporating a zinc-porphyrin (ZnP) cofactor modified with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (H(4)edta) into apo-Mb. In case of the monomeric ZnP(edta) cofactor coordinated by one pyridine molecule, ZnP(py)(edta), a spontaneous 1:1 complex with a transient metal ion was formed in an aqueous solvent, and the photoexcited singlet state of ZnP, (1)(ZnP)*, was quenched by the [Cu(II)(edta)] moiety through intramolecular photoinduced electron-transfer (ET) reaction. The rate constant for the intramolecular quenching ET (k(q)) at 25 degrees C was successfully obtained as k(q) = 5.1 x 10(9) s(-1). In the case of Co(2+), Ni(2+), and Mn(2+), intersystem crossing by paramagnetic effect was mainly considered between (1)(ZnP)* and the [M(II)(edta)] complex. For the ZnMb-[M(II)(edta)] systems, the intramolecular ET reaction between the excited singlet state of (1)(ZnMb)* and the [Cu(II)(edta)] moieties provided the slower quenching rate constant, k(q) = 2.1 x 10(8) s(-1), compared with that of the ZnP(py)(edta) one. Kinetic studies also presented the efficient fluorescence quenching of the (1)(ZnMb)*-[Co(II)(edta)] dyad. Our study clearly demonstrates that wrapping of the ZnP cofactor by the apoprotein matrix and synthetic manipulation at the Mb surface ensure metal ion-sensitive fluorescent dynamics of ZnMb and provides valuable information to elucidate the complicated mechanism of the biological photoinduced ET reactions of hemoproteins.     

A new zinc(II) fluorophore 2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl-appended 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane

A new 2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl-appended cyclen, L(3) (1-(2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane), was synthesized and characterized for a new Zn(2+) chelation-enhanced fluorophore, in comparison with previously reported 9-anthrylmethylcyclen L(1) (1-(9-anthrylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) and dansylamide cyclen L(2). L(3) showed protonation constants log K(a)(i)() of 10.57 +/- 0.02, 9.10 +/- 0.02, 7.15 +/- 0.02, <2, and <2. The log K(a3) value of 7.15 was assigned to the pendant 2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl on the basis of the pH-dependent (1)H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopic measurements. The potentiometric pH titration study indicated extremely stable 1:1 Zn(2+)-L(3) complexation with a stability constant log K(s)(ZnL(3)) (where K(s)(ZnL(3)) = [ZnL(3)]/[Zn(2+)][L(3)] (M(-)(1))) of 17.6 at 25 degrees C with I = 0.1 (NaNO(3)), which is translated into the much smaller apparent dissociation constant K(d) (=[Zn(2+)](free)[L(3)](free)/[ZnL(3)]) of 2 x 10(-)(11) M with respect to 5 x 10(-)(8) M for L(1) at pH 7.4. The quantum yield (Phi = 0.14) in the fluorescent emission of L(3) increased to Phi = 0.44 upon complexation with zinc(II) ion at pH 7.4 (excitation at 368 nm). The fluorescence of 5 microM L(3) at pH 7.4 linearly increased with a 0.1-5 microM concentration of zinc(II). By comparison, the fluorescent emission of the free ligand L(1) decreased upon binding to Zn(2+) (from Phi = 0.27 to Phi = 0.19) at pH 7.4 (excitation at 368 nm). The Zn(2+) complexation with L(3) occurred more rapidly (the second-order rate constant k(2) is 4.6 x 10(2) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) at pH 7.4 than that with L(1) (k(2) = 5.6 x 10 M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) and L(2) (k(2) = 1.4 x 10(2) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)). With an additionally inserted ethylamine in the pendant group, the macrocyclic ligand L(3) is a more effective and practical zinc(II) fluorophore than L(1).     

Cyclic voltammetry of the electron transfer reaction between bis(cyclopentadienyl)iron in 1,2-dichloroethane and hexacyanoferrate in water.

The electron transfer (ET) reaction between bis(cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) ([Fe(II)(C(5)H(5))2]) in 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) and hexacyanoferrate redox couple ([Fe(II/III)(CN)6](4-/3-)) in water (W) at the interface has been studied by using cyclic voltammetry. The voltammetric results can be explained well by a theoretical equation for the so-called IT-mechanism, in which a homogeneous ET reaction between [Fe(C(5)H(5))2] (partially distributed from 1,2-DCE) and [Fe(CN)6](3-) takes place in the W phase and the resultant [Fe(C(5)H(5))2]+ ion is responsible for current passage across the interface. The forward rate constant of the homogeneous ET reaction, [Fe(C(5)H(5))2] + [Fe(CN)6](3-) = [Fe(C(5)H(5))2]+ + [Fe(CN)6](4-) in W phase, k(f)(IT), was determined to be (2.9 +/- 2.2)x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), which was in good agreement with k(f)(IT) = (3.2 +/- 2.0)x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), which had been determined by using normal-pulse voltammetry.     

Enhanced intersystem crossing via a high energy charge transfer state in a perylenediimide-perylenemonoimide dyad

The electronic relaxation processes of a photoexcited linear perylenediimide-perylenemonoimide (PDI-PMI) acceptor-donor dyad were studied. PDI-PMI serves as a model compound for donor-acceptor systems in photovoltaic devices and has been designed to have a high-energy PDI (-*)-PMI (+*) charge transfer (CT) state. Our study focuses on the minimal Gibbs free energy (Delta G ET) required to achieve quantitative CT and on establishing the role of charge recombination to a triplet state. We used time-resolved photoluminescence and picosecond photoinduced absorption (PIA) to investigate excited singlet (S 1) and CT states and complemented these experiments with singlet oxygen ( (1)Delta g) luminescence and PIA measurements on longer timescales to study the population of triplet excited states (T 1). In an apolar solvent like cyclohexene (CHX), photoinduced electron transfer does not occur, but in more polar solvents such as toluene (TOL) and chlorobenzene (CB), photoexcitation is followed by a fast electron transfer, populating the PDI (-*)-PMI (+*) CT state. We extract rate constants for electron transfer (ET; S 1-->CT), back electron transfer (BET; S 1<--CT), and charge recombination (CR) to lower-energy states (CT-->S 0 and CT-->T 1). Temperature-dependent measurements yield the barriers for the transfer reactions. For ET and BET, these correspond to predictions from Marcus-Jortner theory and show that efficient, near quantitative electron transfer ( k ET/ k BET >or= 100) can be obtained when Delta G ET approximately -120 meV. With respect to triplet state formation, we find a relatively low triplet quantum yield (Phi T < 25%) in CHX but much higher values (Phi T = 30-98%) in TOL and CB. We identify the PDI (-*)-PMI (+*) state as a precursor to the T 1 state. Recombination to T 1, rather than to the ground-state S 0, is required to rationalize the experimental barrier for CR. Finally, we discuss the relevance of these results for electron donor-acceptor films in photovoltaic devices.     

Pressure and temperature dependence of the recombination of p-fluorobenzyl radicals

The rate constants of the recombination reaction of p-fluorobenzyl radicals, p-F-C6H4CH2 + p-F-C6H4CH2 (+M) --> C14H12F2 (+M), have been measured over the pressure range 0.2-800 bar and the temperature range 255-420 K. Helium, argon, and CO2 were employed as bath gases (M). At pressures below 0.9 bar in Ar and CO2, and 40 bar in He, the rate constant k1 showed no dependence on the pressure and the nature of the bath gas, clearly indicating that it had reached the limiting high-pressure value of the energy-transfer (ET) mechanism (k(1,infinity)ET). A value of k(1,infinity)ET(T) = (4.3 +/- 0.5) x 10(-11) (T/300 K)(-0.2) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) was determined. At pressures above about 5 bar, the k1 values in Ar and CO2 were found to gradually increase in a pressure range where according to energy-transfer mechanism, they should remain at the constant value k(1,infinity)ET. The enhancement of the recombination rate constant beyond the value k(1,infinity)ET increased in the order He < Ar < CO2, and it became more pronounced with decreasing temperature. The dependences of k1 on pressure, temperature, and the bath gas were similar to previous observations in the recombination of benzyl radicals. The effect of fluorine-substitution of the benzyl ring on k1 values is discussed. The present results confirm the significant role of radical complexes in the recombination kinetics of benzyl-type radicals in the gas-liquid transition range. The observations on a rate enhancement beyond the experimental value of k(1,infinity)ET at elevated densities up to the onset of diffusion-control are consistently explained by the kinetic contribution of a "radical-complex" mechanism which is solely based on standard van der Waals interaction between radicals and bath gases.     

Photoinduced energy transfer coupled to charge separation in a Ru(II)-Ru(II)-acceptor triad

The bichromophoric system Ru-Ru(C)-PI ([(bpy)3Ru-Ph-Ru(dpb)(Metpy-PI)][PF6]3, where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, Hdpb is 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)-benzene, Metpy is 4'-methyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine and PI is pyromellitimide) containing two Ru(II) polypyridyl chromophores with a N6 and a N5C ligand set, respectively, was synthesized and characterized. Its photophysical properties were investigated and compared to those of the monochromophoric cyclometalated complexes Ru(C)-PI ([Ru(dpb)(Metpy-PI)][PF6]), Ru(C)-phi-PI ([Ru(dpb)(ttpy-PI)][PF6], ttpy is 4'-p-tolyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine), Ru(C)-phi ([Ru(dpb)(ttpy)][PF6]), and Ru(C) ([Ru(dpb)(Metpy)][PF6]). Excitation of the Ru(C) unit in the dyads leads to oxidative quenching, forming the Ru(C)(III)-phi-PI*- and Ru(C)(III)-Pl.- charge-separated (CS) states with k(f)(ET) = 7.7 x 10(7) s(-1) (CH3CN, 298 K) in the tolyl-linked Ru(C)-phi-PI and k(f)(ET) = 4.4 x 10(9) s(-1) (CH2Cl2, 298 K) in the methylene-linked Ru(C)-PI. In the Ru-Ru(C)-PI triad, excitation of the Ru(C) chromophore leads to dynamics similar to those in the Ru(C)-PI dyad, generating the Ru(II)-Ru(C)(III)-PI*- CS state, whereas excitation of the Ru unit results in an initial energy transfer (k(EnT) = 4.7 x 10(11) s(-1)) to the cyclometalated Ru(C) unit. Subsequent electron transfer to the PI acceptor results in the formation of the same Ru(II)-Ru(C)(III)-PI*- CS state with k(f)(ET) = 5.6 x 10(9) s(-1) that undergoes rapid recombination with k(b)(ET) = 1 x 10(10) s(-1) (CH2Cl2, 298 K). The fate of the Ru(II)-Ru(C)(III)-PI*- CS state upon a second photoexcitation was studied by pump-pump-probe experiments in an attempt to detect the fully charge-separated Ru(III)-Ru(C)(II)-PI*- state.     

Ion atmosphere relaxation control of electron transfer dynamics in a plasticized carbon dioxide redox polyether melt

The sorption of CO(2) into the highly viscous, semisolid hybrid redox polyether melt, [Co(phenanthroline)(3)](MePEG-SO(3))(2), where MePEG-SO(3) is a MW 350 polyether-tailed sulfonate anion, remarkably accelerates charge transport in this molten salt material. Electrochemical measurements show that as CO(2) pressure is increased from 0 to 800 psi (54 atm) at 23 degrees C, the physical diffusion coefficient D(PHYS) of the Co(II) species, the rate constant k(EX) for Co(II/I) electron self-exchange, and the physical diffusion coefficient of the counterion D(COUNTERION) all increase, from 4.3 x 10(-10) to 6.4 x 10(-9) cm(2)/s, 4.1 x 10(6) to 1.6 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), and 3.3 x 10(-9) to 1.6 x 10(-8) cm(2)/s, respectively. Plots of log(k(EX)) versus log(D(PHYS)) and of log(k(EX)) versus log(D(COUNTERION)) are linear, showing that electron self-exchange rate constants are closely associated with processes that also govern D(PHYS) and D(COUNTERION). Slopes of the plots are 0.68 and 0.98, respectively, indicating a better linear correlation between k(EX) and D(COUNTERION). The evidence indicates that k(EX) can be controlled by relaxation of the counterion atmosphere about the Co complexes in the semisolid redox polyether melts. Because the counterion relaxation is in turn controlled by polyether "solvent" fluctuations, this is a new form of solvent dynamics control of electron transfer.     

A nonmonotonic dependence of standard rate constant on reorganization energy for heterogeneous electron transfer processes on electrode surface

In the present work a nonmonotonic dependence of standard rate constant (k(0)) on reorganization energy (lambda) was discovered qualitatively from electron transfer (Marcus-Hush-Levich) theory for heterogeneous electron transfer processes on electrode surface. It was found that the nonmonotonic dependence of k(0) on lambda is another result, besides the disappearance of the famous Marcus inverted region, coming from the continuum of electronic states in electrode: with the increase of lambda, the states for both Process I and Process II ET processes all vary from nonadiabatic to adiabatic state continuously, and the lambda dependence of k(0) for Process I is monotonic thoroughly, while for Process II on electrode surface the lambda dependence of k(0) could show a nonmonotonicity.     

Relationship between symmetry of porphyrinic pi-conjugated systems and singlet oxygen (1Delta g) yields: low-symmetry tetraazaporphyrin derivatives

We have investigated the excited-state properties and singlet oxygen ((1)Delta(g)) generation mechanism in phthalocyanines (4M; M = H(2), Mg, or Zn) and in low-symmetry metal-free, magnesium, and zinc tetraazaporphyrins (TAPs), that is, monobenzo-substituted (1M), adjacently dibenzo-substituted (2AdM), oppositely dibenzo-substituted (2OpM), and tribenzo-substituted (3M) TAP derivatives, whose pi conjugated systems were altered by fusing benzo rings. The S(1)(x) and S(1)(y) states (these lowest excited singlet states are degenerate in D(4)(h) symmetry) split in the low-symmetry TAP derivatives. The excited-state energies were quantitatively determined from the electronic absorption spectra. The lowest excited triplet (T(1)(x)) energies were also determined from phosphorescence spectra, while the second lowest excited triplet (T(1)(y)) states were evaluated by using the energy splitting between the T(1)(x) and T(1)(y) states previously reported (Miwa, H.; Ishii, K.; Kobayashi, N. Chem. Eur. J. 2004, 10, 4422-4435). The singlet oxygen quantum yields (Phi(Delta)) are strongly dependent on the pi conjugated system. In particular, while the Phi(Delta) value of 2AdH(2) is smallest in our system, that of 2OpH(2), an isomer of 2AdH(2), is larger than that of 4Zn, in contrast to the heavy atom effect. The relationship between the molecular structure and Phi(Delta) values can be transformed into a relationship between the S(1)(x) --> T(1)(y) intersystem crossing rate constant (k(ISC)) and the energy difference between the S(1)(x) and T(1)(y) states (DeltaE(S)(x)(T)(y)). In each of the Zn, Mg, and metal-free compounds, the Phi(Delta)/tau(F) values (tau(F): fluorescence lifetime), which are related to the k(ISC) values, are proportional to exp(-DeltaE(S)(x)(T)(y)), indicating that singlet oxygen ((1)Delta(g)) is produced via the T(1)(y) state and that the S(1)(x) --> T(1)(y) ISC process follows the energy-gap law. From the viewpoint of photodynamic therapy, our methodology, where the Phi(Delta) value can be controlled by changing the symmetry of pi conjugated systems without heavy elements, appears useful for preparing novel photosensitizers.     

Ruthenium-manganese complexes for artificial photosynthesis: factors controlling intramolecular electron transfer and excited-state quenching reactions

Continuing our work toward a system mimicking the electron-transfer steps from manganese to P(680)(+) in photosystem II (PS II), we report a series of ruthenium(II)-manganese(II) complexes that display intramolecular electron transfer from manganese(II) to photooxidized ruthenium(III). The electron-transfer rate constant (k(ET)) values span a large range, 1 x 10(5)-2 x 10(7) s(-1), and we have investigated different factors that are responsible for the variation. The reorganization energies determined experimentally (lambda = 1.5-2.0 eV) are larger than expected for solvent reorganization in complexes of similar size in polar solvents (typically lambda approximately 1.0 eV). This result indicates that the inner reorganization energy is relatively large and, consequently, that at moderate driving force values manganese complexes are not fast donors. Both the type of manganese ligand and the link between the two metals are shown to be of great importance to the electron-transfer rate. In contrast, we show that the quenching of the excited state of the ruthenium(II) moiety by manganese(II) in this series of complexes mainly depends on the distance between the metals. However, by synthetically modifying the sensitizer so that the lowest metal-to-ligand charge transfer state was localized on the nonbridging ruthenium(II) ligands, we could reduce the quenching rate constant in one complex by a factor of 700 without changing the bridging ligand. Still, the manganese(II)-ruthenium(III) electron-transfer rate constant was not reduced. Consequently, the modification resulted in a complex with very favorable properties.     

Pi* level tuning in a series of diimine ligands based on density functional theory: application to photonic devices

Energy- and electron-transfer processes are very important for artificial photosynthesis and a variety of other applications. [(bpy)2Ru(PAP)Os(bpy)2]4+ and its oxidized form [(bpy)2Ru(PAP)Os(bpy)2]5+ perform efficient photoinduced energy- and electron-transfer processes, respectively (k(en) = 5.2 x 10(7) s(-1), k(el) = 7.2 x 10(6) s(-1)). The introduction of appropriate donor and acceptor units on the Ru2+ center can improve the lifetime of the excited state, resulting in a much longer and efficient storage of energy. Nonempirical (density functional) calculations and experimental data are used to predict the best donor and acceptor ligands for improving electron- and energy-transfer processes. Such a result can be extended to all polynuclear complexes where electronic coupling between the metal centers is very weak.     

Electron donor-acceptor dyads and triads based on tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) and benzoquinone: synthesis,characterization, and photoinduced electron transfer reactions

Two electron donor-acceptor triads based on a benzoquinone acceptor linked to a light absorbing [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) complex have been synthesized. In triad 6 (denoted Ru(II)-BQ-Co(III)), a [Co(bpy)(3)](3+) complex, a potential secondary acceptor, was linked to the quinone. In the other triad, 8 (denoted PTZ-Ru(II)-BQ), a phenothiazine donor was linked to the ruthenium moiety. The corresponding dyads Ru(II)-BQ (4) and PTZ-Ru(II) (9) were prepared for comparison. Upon light excitation in the visible band of the ruthenium moiety, electron transfer to the quinone occurred with a rate constant k(f) = 5 x 10(9) s(-)(1) (tau(f) = 200 ps) in all the quinone containing complexes. Recombination to the ground state followed, with a rate constant k(b) approximately 4.5 x 10(8) s(-)(1) (tau(b) approximately 2.2 ns), for both Ru(II)-BQ and Ru(II)-BQ-Co(III) with no indication of a charge shift to generate the reduced Co(II) moiety. In the PTZ-Ru(II)-BQ triad, however, the initial charge separation was followed by a rapid (k > 5 x 10(9) s(-)(1)) electron transfer from the phenothiazine moiety to give the fairly long-lived PTZ(*)(+)-Ru(II)-BQ(*)(-) state (tau = 80 ns) in unusually high yield for a [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+)-based triad (> 90%), that lies at DeltaG degrees = 1.32 eV relative to the ground state. Unfortunately, this triad turned out to be rather photolabile. Interestingly, coupling between the oxidized PTZ(*)(+) and the BQ(*)(-) moieties seemed to occur. This discouraged further extension to incorporate more redox active units. Finally, in the dyad PTZ-Ru(II) a reversible, near isoergonic electron transfer was observed on excitation. Thus, a quasiequilibrium was established with an observed time constant of 7 ns, with ca. 82% of the population in the PTZ-Ru(II) state and 18% in the PTZ(*)(+)-Ru(II)(bpy(*)(-)) state. These states decayed in parallel with an observed lifetime of 90 ns. The initial electron transfer to form the PTZ(*)(+)-Ru(II)(bpy(*)(-)) state was thus faster than what would have been inferred from the Ru(II) emission decay (tau = 90 ns). This result suggests that reports for related PTZ-Ru(II) and PTZ-Ru(II)-acceptor complexes in the literature might need to be reconsidered.     

Carotenoid radical cations as a probe for the molecular mechanism of nonphotochemical quenching in oxygenic photosynthesis

Nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) is a fundamental mechanism in photosynthesis which protects plants against excess excitation energy and is of crucial importance for their survival and fitness. Recently, carotenoid radical cation (Car*+) formation has been discovered to be a key step for the feedback deexcitation quenching mechanism (qE), a component of NPQ, of which the molecular mechanism and location is still unknown. We have generated and characterized carotenoid radical cations by means of resonant two color, two photon ionization (R2C2PI) spectroscopy. The Car*+ bands have maxima located at 830 nm (violaxanthin), 880 nm (lutein), 900 nm (zeaxanthin), and 920 nm (beta-carotene). The positions of these maxima depend strongly on solution conditions, the number of conjugated C=C bonds, and molecular structure. Furthermore, R2C2PI measurements on the light-harvesting complex of photosystem II (LHC II) samples with or without zeaxanthin (Zea) reveal the violaxanthin (Vio) radical cation (Vio*+) band at 909 nm and the Zea*+ band at 983 nm. The replacement of Vio by Zea in the light-harvesting complex II (LHC II) has no influence on the Chl excitation lifetime, and by exciting the Chls lowest excited state, no additional rise and decay corresponding to the Car*+ signal observed previously during qE was detected in the spectral range investigated (800-1050 nm). On the basis of our findings, the mechanism of qE involving the simple replacement of Vio with Zea in LHC II needs to be reconsidered.     

Distinguishing between Dexter and rapid sequential electron transfer in covalently linked donor-acceptor assemblies

The syntheses, physical, and photophysical properties of a family of complexes having the general formula [M2(L)(mcb)(Ru(4,4'-(X)2-bpy)2)](PF6)3 (where M = Mn(II) or Zn(II), X = CH3 or CF3, mcb is 4'-methyl-4-carboxy-2,2'-bipyridine, and L is a Schiff base macrocycle derived from 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol and bis(2-aminoethyl)-N-methylamine) are described. The isostructural molecules all consist of dinuclear metal cores covalently linked to a Ru(II) polypyridyl complex. Photoexcitation of [Mn2(L)(mcb)(Ru((CF3)2-bpy)2)](PF6)3 (4) in deoxygenated CH2Cl2 solution results in emission characteristic of the 3MLCT excited state of the Ru(II) chromophore but with a lifetime (tau(obs) = 5.0 +/- 0.1 ns) and radiative quantum yield (Phi(r) approximately 7 x 10(-4)) that are significantly attenuated relative to the Zn(II) model complex [Zn2(L)(mcb)(Ru((CF3)2-bpy)2)](PF6)3 (6) (tau(obs) = 730 +/- 30 ns and Phi(r) = 0.024, respectively). Quenching of the 3MLCT excited state is even more extensive in the case of [Mn2(L)(mcb)(Ru((CH3)2-bpy)2)](PF6)3 (3), whose measured lifetime (tau(obs) = 45 +/- 5 ps) is >10(4) shorter than the corresponding model complex [Zn2(L)(mcb)(Ru((CH3)2-bpy)2)](PF6)3 (5) (tau(obs) = 1.31 +/- 0.05 micros). Time-resolved absorption measurements on both Mn-containing complexes at room-temperature revealed kinetics that were independent of probe wavelength; no spectroscopic signatures for electron-transfer photoproducts were observed. Time-resolved emission data for complex 4 acquired in CH2Cl2 solution over a range of 200-300 K could be fit to an expression of the form k(nr) = k0 + A x exp{-DeltaE/kB T} with k0 = 1.065 +/- 0.05 x 10(7) s(-1), A = 3.7 +/- 0.5 x 10(10) s(-1), and DeltaE = 1230 +/- 30 cm(-1). Assuming an electron-transfer mechanism, the variable-temperature data on complex 4 would require a reorganization energy of lambda approximately 0.4-0.5 eV which is too small to be associated with charge separation in this system. This result coupled with the lack of enhanced emission at temperatures below the glass-to-fluid transition of the solvent and the absence of visible absorption features associated with the Mn(II)2 core allows for a definitive assignment of Dexter transfer as the dominant excited-state reaction pathway. A similar conclusion was reached for complex 3 based in part on the smaller driving force for electron transfer (DeltaG0(ET) = -0.1 eV), the increase in probability of Dexter transfer due to the closer proximity of the donor excited state to the dimanganese acceptor, and a lack of emission from the compound upon formation of an optical glass at 80 K. Electronic coupling constants for Dexter transfer were determined to be approximately 10 cm(-1) and approximately 0.15 cm(-1) in complexes 3 and 4, respectively, indicating that the change in spatial localization of the excited state from the bridge (complex 3) to the periphery of the chromophore (complex 4) results in a decrease in electronic coupling to the dimanganese core of nearly 2 orders of magnitude. In addition to providing insight into the influence of donor/acceptor proximity on exchange energy transfer, this study underscores the utility of variable-temperature measurements in cases where Dexter and electron-transfer mechanisms can lead to indistinguishable spectroscopic observables.     

Conformationally gated photoinduced processes within photosensitizer-acceptor dyads based on osmium(II) complexes with triarylpyridinio-functionalized terpyridyl ligands: insights from experimental study

[(ttpy)Os(tpy-ph-TPH(3)(+))](3+) (2), [(ttpy)Os(tpy-xy-TPH(3)(+))](3+) (3), [(ttpy)Os(tpy-ph-TPH(2)(NO(2))(+))](3+) (4), and [(ttpy)Os(tpy-xy-TPH(2)(NO(2))(+))](3+) (5) are a series of dyads made of an Os(II) bis-tpy complex (tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) as the photosensitizer (P) and 2,4,6-triarylpyridinium group (TP(+)) as the electron acceptor (A). These dyads were designed to form charge-separated states (CSS) upon light excitation. Together with analogous Ru(II) complexes (7-10), they have been synthesized and fully characterized. We describe herein how intramolecular photoinduced processes are affected when the electron-accepting strength of A (by nitro-derivatization of TP(+)) and/or the steric hindrance about intercomponent linkage (by replacing a phenyl spacer by a xylyl one) are changed. Electronic absorption and electrochemical behavior revealed that (i) chemical substitution of TP(+) (i.e., TP(+)-NO(2)) has no sizable influence on P-centered electronic features, (ii) reduction processes located on TP(+) depend on the intercomponent tilt angle. Concerning excited-state properties, photophysical investigation evidenced that phosphorescence of P is actually quenched in dyads 4 and 5 only. Ultrafast transient absorption (TA) experiments allowed attributing the quenching in conformationally locked dyad 5 to oxidative electron transfer (ET) from the (3)MLCT level to the TP(+)-NO(2) acceptor (k(el) = 1.1 x 10(9) s(-)(1)). For 4, geometrically unlocked, the (3)MLCT state was shown to first rapidly equilibrate (reversible energy transfer; k(eq) approximately 2 x 10(9) s(-)(1)) with a ligand centered triplet state before undergoing CSS formation. Thus, the pivotal role of conformation in driving excited-state decay pathways is demonstrated. Also, inner P structural planarization as a relaxation mode of the (3)MLCT states has been inferred from TA experiments.     

Photoinduced electron transfer in multiporphyrinic interlocked structures: the effect of copper(I) coordination in the central site

Photoinduced processes have been determined in a [2]catenane containing a zinc(II) porphyrin, a gold(III) porphyrin, and two free phenanthroline binding sites, Zn-Au(+), and in the corresponding copper(I) phenanthroline complex, Zn-Cu(+)-Au(+). In acetonitrile solution Zn-Au(+) is present in two different conformations: an extended one, L, which accounts for 40 % of the total, and a compact one, S. In the L conformation, the electron transfer from the excited state of the Zn porphyrin to the gold-porphyrin unit (k = 1.3x10(9) s(-1)) is followed by a slow recombination (k = 8.3x10(7) s(-1)) to the ground state. The processes in the S conformation cannot be clearly resolved but a charge-separated (CS) state is rapidly formed and decays with a lifetime on the order of fifty picoseconds. In the catenate Zn-Cu(+)-Au(+), the zinc-porphyrin excited state initially transfers energy to the Cu(I)-phenantholine unit, producing a metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited state localized on the copper complex with a rate k = 1.4x10(9) s(-1). From this excited state the transfer of an electron to the gold-porphyrin unit takes place, producing the CS state Zn-Cu(2+)-Au(.), which decays with a lifetime of 10 ns. The results are discussed in comparison with the closely related [2]rotaxane, in which a further charge shift from the copper center to the zinc-porphyrin unit leads to the fully CS state. Even in the absence of such full charge separation, it is shown that the lifetimes of the CS states are increased by a factor of about 2-2.5 over those of the corresponding rotaxanes.     

Modulation of the lowest metal-to-ligand charge-transfer state in [Ru(bpy)2(N-N)]2+ systems by changing the N-N from hydrazone to azine: photophysical consequences

Two Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(bpy)2L](ClO4)2 (1) and [Ru(bpy)2L'](BF4)2 (2), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, L is diacetyl dihydrazone, and L' 1:2 is the condensate of L and acetone, are synthesized. From X-ray crystal structures, both are found to contain distorted octahedral RuN(6)(2+) cores. NMR spectra show that the cations in 1 and 2 possess a C2 axis in solution. They display the expected metal-to-ligand charge transfer (1MLCT) band in the 400-500 nm region. Complex 1 is nonemissive at room temperature in solution as well as at 80 K. In contrast, complex 2 gives rise to an appreciable emission upon excitation at 440 nm. The room-temperature emission is centered at 730 nm (lambda(em)(max)) with a quantum yield (Phi(em)) of 0.002 and a lifetime (tau(em)) of 42 ns in an air-equilibrated methanol-ethanol solution. At 80 K, Phi(em) = 0.007 and tau(em) = 178 ns, with a lambda(em)(max) of 690 nm, which is close to the 0-0 transition, indicating an 3MLCT excited-state energy of 1.80 eV. The radiative rate constant (5 x 10(4) s(-1)) at room temperature and 80 K is almost temperature independent. From spectroelectrochemistry, it is found that bpy is easiest to reduce in 2 and that L is easiest in 1. The implications of this are that in 2 the lowest (3)MLCT state is localized on a bpy ligand and in 1 it is localized on L. Transient absorption results also support these assignments. As a consequence, even though 2 shows a fairly strong and long-lived emission from a Ru(II) --> bpy CT state, the Ru(II) --> L CT state in 1 shows no detectable emission even at 80 K.     

Flash photolytic generation and study of p-quinone methide in aqueous solution. An estimate of rate and equilibrium constants for heterolysis of the carbon-bromine bond in p-hydroxybenzyl bromide

Flash photolysis of p-hydroxybenzyl acetate in aqueous perchloric acid solution and formic acid, acetic acid, biphosphate ion, and tris(hydroxymethyl)methylammonium ion buffers produced p-quinone methide as a short-lived species that underwent hydration to p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol in hydronium ion catalyzed (k(H(+)) = 5.28 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1)) and uncatalyzed (k(uc) = 3.33 s(-1)) processes. The inverse nature of the solvent isotope effect on the hydronium ion-catalyzed reaction, k(H(+))/k(D(+)) = 0.41, indicates that this process occurs by rapid and reversible protonation of the quinone methide on its carbonyl carbon atom, followed by rate-determining capture of the p-hydroxybenzyl carbocation so produced by water, while the magnitude of the rate constant on the uncatalyzed process indicates that this reaction occurs by simple nucleophilic addition of water to the methylene group of the quinone methide. p-Quinone methide also underwent hydronium ion-catalyzed and uncatalyzed nucleophilic addition reactions with chloride ion, bromide ion, thiocyanate ion, and thiourea. The solvent isotope effects on the hydronium ion-catalyzed processes again indicate that these reactions occurred by preequilibrium mechanisms involving a p-hydroxybenzyl carbocation intermediate, and assignment of a diffusion-controlled value to the rate constant for reaction of this cation with thiocyanate ion led to K(SH) = 110 M as the acidity constant of oxygen-protonated p-quinone methide. In a certain perchloric acid concentration range, the bromide ion reaction became biphasic, and least-squares analysis of the kinetic data using a double-exponential function provided k(Br(-)) = 3.8 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) as the rate constant for nucleophilic capture of the p-hydroxybenzyl carbocation by bromide ion, k(ionz) = 8.5 x 10(2) s(-1) for ionization of the carbon-bromine bond of p-hydroxybenzyl bromide, and K = 4.5 x 10(5) M(-1) as the equilibrium constant for the carbocation-bromide ion combination reaction, all in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C. Comparisons are made of the reactivity of p-quinone methide with p-quinone alpha,alpha-bis(trifluoromethyl)methide as well as p-quinone methide with o-quinone methide.     

Photophysical properties of a rhodium tetraphenylporphyrin-tin corrole dyad. The first example of a through metal-metal bond energy transfer

The luminescence spectroscopy study and the determination of the photophysical parameters for the M-M'-bonded rhodium meso-tetraphenylporphyrin-tin(2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-8,12-diethylcorrole) complex, (TPP)Rh-Sn(Me6Et2Cor) 1, was investigated. The emission bands as well as the lifetimes (tau(e)) and the quantum yields (Phi(e); at 77 K using 2MeTHF as solvent) were compared with those of (TPP)RhI 2 (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin) and (Me6Et2Cor)SnCl 3 (Me6Et2Cor = 2,3,7,13,17,18-hexamethyl-8,12-diethylcorrole) which are the two chemical precursors of 1. The energy diagram has been established from the absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra. The Rh(TPP) and Sn(Me6Et2Cor) chromophores are the energy donor (D) and acceptor (A), respectively. The total absence of fluorescence in 1 (while fluorescence is observed in the tin derivative 3) indicates efficient excited state deactivation, presumably due to heavy atom effect and intramolecular energy transfer (ET). The large decreases in tau(P) and Phi(P) of the Rh(TPP) chromophore going from 2 to 1 indicate a significant intramolecular ET in the triplet states of 1 with an estimated rate ranging between 10(6) and 10(8) s(-1). Based on the comparison of transfer rates with other related dyads that exhibit similar D-A separations and no M-M' bond, and for which slower through space ET processes (10(2)-10(3) s(-1)) operate, a through M-M' bond ET has been unambiguously assigned to 1.