Photoinduced electron transfer and excitation energy transfer in directly linked zinc porphyrin/zinc phthalocyanine composite

Photoinduced electron transfer (ET) and excitation energy transfer (ENT) reactions in monomer and slipped-cofacial dimer systems of a directly linked Zn porphyrin (Por)-Zn phthalocyanine (Pc) heterodyad, ZnPc-ZnPor, were investigated by means of the picosecond and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopies. In the dimer dyad system of two heterodyads connected through the coordination bond between two imidazolyl-substituted ZnPor bearing ZnPc, ZnPc-ZnPor(D), the rapid ENT from the ZnPor to ZnPc in the subpicosecond time region was followed by photoinduced charge separation (CS) and charge recombination (CR) with time constants of 47 and 510 ps, respectively. On the other hand in the monomer dyad system, no clear charge-separated state was observed although the CS with a time constant of 200 ps and CR with < or =70 ps were estimated. These results indicated that the dimer slipped-cofacial arrangement of pair porphyrins is advantageous for the effective production of the CS state. This advantage was discussed from the viewpoint of a decrease in the reorganization energy of the dimer relative to that of the monomer system. In addition, the electrochemical measurements indicated that the strong interaction between ZnPc and ZnPor moieties also contributed to the fast CS process despite the marginal driving force for the CS process. The dimer dyad of ZnPc-ZnPor provides full advantages in efficiencies of the light harvesting and the CS state production.     

Photoinduced electron transfer to triplet flavins. Correlation between the volume change-normalized entropic term and the Marcus reorganization energy

The data obtained through the application of nanosecond laser-induced optoacoustic spectroscopy (LIOAS) to several electron donor-acceptor pairs in aqueous solution were analyzed together with the respective experimentally determined Marcus reorganization energy. Acceptors were the flavin mononucleotide and flavin-adenine dinucleotide triplet states (3FMN and 3FAD) and donors were tryptophan, tyrosine, histidine, triethanolamine, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The respective calculated Gibbs energy for electron transfer, Delta(ET)G degrees , was used together with the enthalpy change for the formation of free radicals, Delta(FR)H, obtained from the LIOAS data, to derive the entropy change for the formation of the radicals, Delta(FR)S. In all cases, variation of the monovalent cations, i.e., [CH3(CH2)3]4N+, Li+, NH4+, K+, and Cs+, resulted in variation of the enthalpy change, Delta(FR)H, and in the structural volume change, Delta(FR)V, for the free-radical production, both derived from LIOAS. Delta(FR)H and Delta(FR)V linearly correlated with each other within the cation series. From this correlation the respective entropic term TDelta(FR)S was derived as well as the ratio X = TDelta(FR)S/Delta(FR)V for each of the pairs. X linearly correlated with the respective total Marcus reorganization energy, lambda, for all systems analyzed. This observation underlines the concept that both lambda and Delta(FR)V respond to the same phenomena. The correlation also offers an experimental approach for the understanding at a molecular level of the origin of the lambda values as well as for their evaluation.     

Photoinduced electron transfer from DABCO to trans-nitrostilbenes

The anion radical of the trans isomers of 4-nitro-, 4,4'-dinitro-, and 4-nitro-4'-methoxystilbene was generated by triplet quenching with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) in polar solvents at room temperature using laser flash photolysis. Electron transfer and trans → cis photoisomerization are competing processes. The radical ions decay by electron back-transfer yielding the initial ground states.     

Photoinduced electron transfer in platinum(II) terpyridinyl acetylide complexes connected to a porphyrin unit

A series of six new dyads consisting of a zinc or magnesium porphyrin appended to a platinum terpyridine acetylide complex via a para-phenylene bisacetylene spacer are described. Different substituents on the 4' position of the terpyridinyl ligand were explored (OC7H15, PO3Et2, and H). The ground-state electronic properties of the dyads are studied by electronic absorption spectroscopy and electrochemistry, and they indicate some electronic interactions between the porphyrin subunit and the platinum complex. The photophysical properties of these dyads were investigated by steady-state, time-resolved, and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in N,N-dimethylformamide solution. Excitation of the porphyrin unit leads to a very rapid electron transfer (2-20 ps) to the nearby platinum complex followed by an ultrafast charge recombination, thus preventing any observation of the charge separated state. The variation in the rate of the photoinduced electron transfer in the series of dyads is consistent with Marcus theory. The results underscore the potential of the para-phenylene bisacetylene bridge to mediate a rapid electron transfer over a long donor-acceptor distance.     

Photoinduced electron transfer from electron donor to bis-carbocyanine dye in excited triplet state

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Solvent tuning from normal to inverted marcus region of intramolecular electron transfer in ferrocene-based organic radicals

The solvent dependence of spectroscopic data of two neutral paramagnetic donor-acceptor dyads, based on a polychlorinated triphenylmethyl radical acceptor unit linked through a vinylene pi-bridge to a ferrocene (compound 1) or a nonamethylferrocene donor (compound 2) unit, is described. Both compounds exhibit broad absorptions in the near-IR region, with band maxima appearing around 1000 and 1500 nm for 1 and 2, respectively. These bands correspond to the excitation of a neutral DA ground state to the charge-separated D+A- state, indicative of an intramolecular electron-transfer process. Compounds 1 and 2 show two reversible one-electron redox processes associated with the oxidation of the ferrocene and the reduction of the polychlorotriphenylmethyl radical subunits. The solvent dependence of the redox potentials was also investigated, allowing the determination of the redox asymmetries DeltaG degrees of both dyads. The latter values, along with the experimental Eopt spectroscopic data, allow us to estimate, using the total energy balance Eopt = lambda + DeltaG degrees , the reorganization energy values, lambda, and their solvent polarity dependence. Since DeltaG degrees and lambda are of the same order of magnitude but exhibit opposite trends in their solvent polarity dependence, a unique shift from the normal to the inverted Marcus region with the change in solvent polarity is found. The kinetics of the charge recombination step of the excited charge-separated D+A- state was studied by picosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, which allows us to observe and monitor for the first time the charge-separated D+A- state, thereby confirming unambiguously the photoinduced electron-transfer phenomena.     

Metal ion-promoted intramolecular electron transfer in a ferrocene-naphthoquinone linked dyad. Continuous change in driving force and reorganization energy with metal ion concentration

Thermal intramolecular electron transfer from the ferrocene (Fc) to naphthoquinone (NQ) moiety occurs efficiently by the addition of metal triflates (M(n)()(+): Sc(OTf)(3), Y(OTf)(3), Eu(OTf)(3)) to an acetonitrile solution of a ferrocene-naphthoquinone (Fc-NQ) linked dyad with a flexible methylene and an amide spacer, although no electron transfer takes place in the absence of M(n)()(+). The resulting semiquinone radical anion (NQ(*)(-)) is stabilized by the strong binding of M(n)()(+) with one carbonyl oxygen of NQ(*)(-)( )()as well as hydrogen bonding between the amide proton and the other carbonyl oxygen of NQ(*)(-). The high stability of the Fc(+)()-NQ(*)(-)/M(n)()(+)() complex allows us to determine the driving force of electron transfer by the conventional electrochemical method. The one-electron reduction potential of the NQ moiety of Fc-NQ is shifted to a positive direction with increasing concentration of M(n)()(+), obeying the Nernst equation, whereas the one-electron oxidation potential of the Fc moiety remains the same. The driving force dependence of the observed rate constant (k(ET)) of M(n)()(+)-promoted intramolecular electron transfer is well evaluated in light of the Marcus theory of electron transfer. The driving force of electron transfer increases with increasing concentration of M(n)()(+) [M(n)()(+)], whereas the reorganization energy of electron transfer decreases with increasing [M(n)()(+)] from a large value which results from the strong binding between NQ(*)(-) and M(n)()(+).     

Specific electron transfer mechanism from the photoexcited tetrasulfonated Zn(II)-tetraphenylporphyrin to methylviologen via self-assembled ionic complex

Electron transfer from photoexcited tetrasulfonated Zn(II)-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTSTPP) to methyviologen (MV²⁺) was studied. From the investigation of relative fluorescence intensity and emission lifetime against the MV²⁺ concentration, it was concluded that the electron transfer takes place by a static mechanism. Based on the analysis of the quenching behavior, it was concluded that the static reaction did not follow an ordinary Perrin model, but interaction of the donor (photoexcited Zn-TSTPP) and the acceptor (MV²⁺) molecules, ionic interaction in the present case, is responsible. The analysis of the quenching gave the equilibrium constant for the interaction to be K = 6.5 × 10⁴ M⁻¹. A two-dimensional selfassembled macromolecular ionic complex between ZnTSTPP and MV²⁺ is proposed.     

Photoinduced electron transfer via nonbuttressed metal-metal bonds. The photochemical study of binuclear complexes with platinum-thallium bonds

The photochemistry of binuclear metal-metal bonded complexes [(NC) 5Pt-Tl(solv) x ] (solv is water or dimethylsulfoxide) has been studied in aqueous and dimethylsulfoxide solutions. Both stationary and nanosecond laser flash photolysis have been carried out on the species. The metal-metal bonded complexes have been photolyzed by irradiation into the corresponding intense MMCT absorption bands. Photoexcitation results in the cleavage of the platinum-thallium bond and the formation of a solvated thallous ion and a cyano complex of platinum(IV), [Pt(CN) 5(solv)] (-), in both cases. The species have been characterized by multinuclear NMR and optical spectroscopy. The products of the photoreaction indicate a complementary two-electron transfer occurring between platinum and thallium ions in the binuclear Pt-Tl species. Quantum yield values for the photodecomposition of the species have been determined. The intermediates of the photoinduced metal-to-metal electron transfer have been detected and characterized by optical spectroscopy. The kinetics of transient formation and decomposition have been studied, and mechanisms of the photoactivated redox reaction have been suggested.     

The He-LiH potential energy surface revisited. II. Rovibrational energy transfer on a three-dimensional surface

We use our rigid rotor He-LiH potential energy surface [B. K. Taylor and R. J. Hinde, J. Phys. Chem. 111, 973 (1999)] as a starting point to develop a three-dimensional potential surface that describes the interaction between He and a rotating and vibrating LiH molecule. We use a fully quantum treatment of the collision dynamics on the current potential surface to compute rovibrational state-to-state cross sections. We compute excitation and relaxation vibrational rate constants as a function of temperature by integrating these cross sections over a Maxwell-Boltzmann translational energy distribution and summing over Boltzmann-weighted initial rotational levels. The rate constants for vibrational excitation of LiH are very small for temperatures below 300 K. Rate constants for vibrational relaxation of excited LiH molecules, however, are several orders of magnitude larger and show very little temperature dependence, suggesting that the collisions that result in vibrational relaxation are governed by long-range attractive interactions.     

Effect of structural change in viologen acceptors on the rate of single electron transfer from tributylphosphine

The "flexible" 3 and "rigid" cyclic viologens 4, diquarternary salts of 2,2'-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline, respectively, were treated with tributylphosphine (1) in acetonitrile containing a large amount of methanol under an argon atmosphere. A single electron transfer (SET) easily occurred from the latter to the former, the SET to 4 being 10(5)-10(6) times faster than the SET to 3. The reorganization energy lambda for the latter SET is thought to be larger than that for the former SET, because 3 undergoes a structural change upon the one-electron reduction to its radical cation, whereas the one-electron reduction of 4 takes place without a structural change. Taking into account the difference in lambda, and also taking into account the bond formation energy brought about by the follow-up reaction of the phosphine radical cation 1*(+) with methanol, the observed kinetics were well interpreted in terms of the Marcus theory.     

Ultrafast charge-transfer-to-solvent dynamics of iodide in tetrahydrofuran. 2. Photoinduced electron transfer to counterions in solution

The excited states of atomic anions in liquids are bound only by the polarization of the surrounding solvent. Thus, the electron-detachment process following excitation to one of these solvent-bound states, known as charge-transfer-to-solvent (CTTS) states, provides a useful probe of solvent structure and dynamics. These transitions and subsequent relaxation dynamics also are influenced by other factors that alter the solution environment local to the CTTS anion, including the presence of cosolutes, cosolvents, and other ions. In this paper, we examine the ultrafast CTTS dynamics of iodide in liquid tetrahydrofuran (THF) with a particular focus on how the solvent dynamics and the CTTS electron-ejection process are altered in the presence of various counterions. In weakly polar solvents such as THF, iodide salts can be strongly ion-paired in solution; the steady-state UV-visible absorption spectroscopy of various iodide salts in liquid THF indicates that the degree of ion-pairing changes from strong to weak to none as the counterion is switched from Na+ to tetrabutylammonium (t-BA+) to crown-ether-complexed Na+, respectively. In our ultrafast experiments, we have excited the I- CTTS transition of these various iodide salts at 263 nm and probed the dynamics of the CTTS-detached electrons throughout the visible and near-IR. In the previous paper of this series (Bragg, A. E.; Schwartz, B. J. J. Phys. Chem. B 2008, 112, 483-494), we found that for "counterion-free" I- (obtained by complexing Na+ with a crown ether) the CTTS electrons were ejected approximately 6 nm from their partner iodine atoms, the result of significant nonadiabatic coupling between the CTTS excited state and extended electronic states supported by the naturally existing solvent cavities in liquid THF, which also serve as pre-existing electron traps. In contrast, for the highly ion-paired NaI/THF system, we find that approximately 90% of the CTTS electrons are "captured" by a nearby Na+ to form (Na+, e-)THF "tight-contact pairs" (TCPs), which are chemically and spectroscopically distinct from both solvated neutral sodium atoms and free solvated electrons. A simple kinetic model is able to reproduce the details of the electron capture process, with 63% of the electrons captured quickly in approximately 2.3 ps, 26% captured diffusively in approximately 63 ps, and the remaining 11% escaping out into the solution on subnanosecond time scales. We also find that the majority of the CTTS electrons are ejected to within 1 or 2 nm of the Na+. This demonstrates that the presence of the nearby cation biases the relocalization of CTTS-generated electrons from I- in THF, changing the nonadiabatic coupling to the extended, cavity-supported electronic states in THF to produce a much tighter distribution of electron-ejection distances. In the case of the more loosely ion-paired t-BA+-I-/THF system, we find that only 10-15% of the CTTS-ejected electrons associate with t-BA+ to form "loose-contact pairs" (LCPs), which are characterized by a much weaker interaction between the electron and cation than occurs in TCPs. The formation of (t-BA+, e-)THF LCPs is characterized by a Coulombically induced blue shift of the free eTHF- spectrum on a approximately 5-ps time scale. We argue that the weaker interaction between t-BA+ and the parent I- results in little change to the CTTS-ejection process, so that only those electrons that happen to localize in the vicinity of t-BA+ are captured to form LCPs. Finally, we interpret the correlation between electron capture yield and counterion-induced perturbation of the I- CTTS transition as arising from changes in the distribution of ion-pair separations with cation identity, and we discuss our results in the context of relevant solution conductivity measurements.     

Continuous medium theory for nonequilibrium solvation: IV. Solvent reorganization energy of electron transfer based on conductor-like screening model

In this work the authors present some evidences of defects in the popular continuous medium theories for nonequilibrium solvation. Particular attention has been paid to the incorrect reversible work approach. After convincing reasoning, the nonequilibrium free energy has been formulated to an expression different from the traditional ones. In a series of recent works by the authors, new formulations and some analytical application models for ultrafast processes were developed. Here, the authors extend the new theory to the cases of discrete bound charge distributions and present the correct form of the nonequilibrium solvation energy in such cases. A numerical solution method is applied to the evaluation of solvent reorganization energy of electron transfer. The test calculation for biphenyl-cyclohexane-naphthalene anion system achieves excellent agreement with the experimental fitting. The central importance presented in this work is the very simple and a consistent form of nonequilibrium free energy for both continuous and discrete charge distributions, based on which the new models can be established.     

Photoinduced electron transfer from chlorophyll-a to duroquinone in micellar solutions,charge separation through local electrostatic fields

A new method to achieve charge separation in light-driven redox reactions is presented. It is based on the principle of electrostatic interactions of the radical ions produced by the light with the local environment present in aqueous solutions of surfactant aggregates. Experimental data obtained from the flash photolysis of chlorophyll-a solubilized in anionic micelles in the presence of duroquinone substantiate the predictions of the model.     

Photoinduced hydrogen production by direct electron transfer from photosystem I cross-linked with cytochrome c3 to [NiFe]-hydrogenase

The photosynthetic reaction center is an efficient molecular device for the conversion of light energy to chemical energy. In a previous study, we synthesized the hydrogenase/photosystem I (PSI) complex, in which Ralstonia hydrogenase was linked to the cytoplasmic side of Synechocystis PSI, to modify PSI so that it photoproduced molecular hydrogen (H2). In that study, hydrogenase was fused with a PSI subunit, PsaE, and the resulting hydrogenase-PsaE fusion protein was self-assembled with PsaE-free PSI to give the hydrogenase/PSI complex. Although the hydrogenase/PSI complex served as a direct light-to-H2 conversion system in vitro, the activity was totally suppressed by adding physiological PSI partners, ferredoxin (Fd) and ferredoxin-NADP+-reductase (FNR). In the present study, to establish an H2 photoproduction system in which the activity is not interrupted by Fd and FNR, position 40 of PsaE from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, corresponding to the Fd-binding site on PSI, was selected and targeted for the cross-linking with cytochrome c3 (cytc3) from Desulfovibrio vulgaris. The covalent adduct of cytc3 and PsaE was stoichiometrically assembled with PsaE-free PSI to form the cytc3/PSI complex. The NADPH production by the cytc3/PSI complex coupled with Fd and FNR decreased to approximately 20% of the original activity, whereas the H2 production by the cytc3/PSI complex coupled with hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris was enhanced 7-fold. Consequently, in the simultaneous presence of hydrogenase, Fd, and FNR, the light-driven H2 production by the hydrogenase/cytc3/PSI complex was observed (0.30 pmol Hz/mg chlorophyll/h). These results suggest that the cytc3/PSI complex may produce H2 in vivo.     

Photoinduced electron transfer from tryptophan to Ru(II)TAP complexes: the primary process for photo-cross-linking with oligopeptides

The photoreaction mechanism of [Ru(TAP)(2)(phen)](2+) and [Ru(TAP)(3)](2+) (TAP = 1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene) with tryptophan (Trp), N-acetyl-Trp, and Lys-Trp-Lys is examined. The existence of a photoelectron-transfer process from the amino acid unit is demonstrated by laser flash photolysis experiments. The back electron transfer (BET) from the reduced complex to the oxidized amino acid, occurring at the microsecond time scale, corresponds approximately to an equimolecular-bimolecular process; however, it is disturbed by another reaction, originating from the oxidized Trp. Moreover, in competition with the BET, the reduced and oxidized intermediates give rise to an adduct. The latter is clearly detected by gel electrophoresis experiments in denaturing conditions, with a system composed of an oligonucleotide derivatized at the 3' end by the Ru(II)TAP complex and hybridized with the complementary sequence functionalized at the 5' end by the tripeptide Lys-Trp-Lys. Thus, upon illumination, a cross-linking between the two strands is observed, which originates from the presence of a Trp residue.     

Photoinduced electron transfer from synthetic chlorophyll analogue to fullerene C60 on carbon paste electrode. Preparation of a novel solar cell

Upon a carbon paste electrode, fullerene C60 and successively methyl pyropheophorbide-a (chlorin) were casted to prepare a chlorin-fullerene modified carbon paste electrode (CFE). Photocurrents on the CFE were produced by irradiating of visible lights (> 510 nm) in an aqueous solution of 0.05 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 0.1 M Na2SO4 at pH 6.7. Larger anodic photocurrent was induced by the CFE than by the carbon paste electrodes modified with either the fullerene or the chlorin. In addition, the photocurrent of the CFE was dependent upon the amount of fullerene casted. The photocurrent action spectra of the CFE (at 300 mV vs. Ag/Ag+) showed that photoinduced electron transfer occurred from the excited state of the chlorin to the fullerene and/or from the chlorin to the photoexcited fullerene, and the electron of the fullerene anion radical produced was then shifted to the carbon paste. Upon irradiation of > 375 nm lights, the anodic photocurrent of the CFE was enhanced by increase in the illuminated light power and reached 0.03 mA cm-2 in the present system.     

Photoinduced electron transfer in hydrogen bonded donor--acceptor systems. Free energy and distance dependence studies and an analysis of the role of diffusion.

The free energy dependence of electron transfer in a few small-molecule donor--acceptor systems having hydrogen-bonding appendages was studied to evaluate the role of diffusion in masking the inverted region in bimolecular PET reactions. A small fraction of the probe molecules associate and this led to the simultaneous observation of unimolecular and diffusion-mediated quenching of the probe fluorescence. Free energy dependence studies showed that the unimolecular electron transfer obeys Marcus behavior and the diffusion-mediated electron transfer obeys Rehm--Weller behavior. The absence of an inverted region in bimolecular PET reactions is thus attributed to diffusion. The results of the free energy dependence studies suggest that distance dependence of electron transfer plays a role in masking the inverted region. To ascertain this aspect we have carried out a study of the distance dependence of electron transfer in the hydrogen-bonded donor--acceptor systems. For a system in the normal region an exponential rate decrease was observed. For a system in the inverted region it was observed that the rate depends very feebly on distance. Thus distance dependence studies did not confirm the prediction of enhanced rates at larger distances in the inverted region.     

Selective inclusion of electron-donating molecules into porphyrin nanochannels derived from the self-assembly of saddle-distorted, protonated porphyrins and photoinduced electron transfer from guest molecules to porphyrin dications

A doubly protonated hydrochloride salt of a saddle-distorted dodecaphenylporphyrin (H2DPP), [H4DPPP]Cl2, forms a porphyrin nanochannel (PNC). X-ray crystallography was used to determine the structure of the molecule, which revealed the inclusion of guest molecules within the PNC. Electron-donating molecules, such as p-hydroquinone and p-xylene, were selectively included within the PNC in sharp contrast to electron acceptors, such as the corresponding quinones, which were not encapsulated. This result indicates that the PNC can recognize the electronic character and steric hindrance of the guest molecules during the course of inclusion. ESR measurements (photoirradiation at lambda>340 nm at room temperature) of the PNC that contains p-hydroquinone, catechol, and tetrafluorohydroquinone guest molecules gave well-resolved signals, which were assigned to cation radicals formed without deprotonation based on results from computer simulations of the ESR spectra and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The radicals are derived from photoinduced electron transfer from the guest molecules to the singlet state of H4DPP2+. Transient absorption spectroscopy by femtosecond laser flash photolysis allowed us to observe the formation of 1(H4DPP2+)*, which is converted to H4DPP+. by electron transfer from the guest molecules to 1(H4DPP2+)*, followed by fast disproportionation of H4DPP+., and charge recombination to give diamagnetic species and the triplet excited state 3(H4DPP2+)*, respectively.     

Photoinduced electron transfer competitive with energy transfer of the excited triplet state of [60]fullerene to ferrocene derivatives revealed by combination of transient absorption and thermal lens measurements

The quenching processes of the exited triplet state of fullerene (3C60) by ferrocene (Fc) derivatives have been observed by the transient absorption spectroscopy and thermal lens methods. Although 3C60 was efficiently quenched by Fc in the rate close to the diffusion controlled limit, the quantum yields (phi(et)) for the generation of the radical anion of C60 (C60*-) via 3C60 were quite low even in polar solvents; nevertheless, the free-energy changes (deltaG(et)) of electron transfer from Fc to 3C60 are sufficiently negative. In benzonitrile (BN), the phi(et) value for unsubstitued Fc was less than 0.1. The thermal lens method indicates that energy transfer from 3C60 to Fc takes place efficiently, suggesting that the excited triplet energy level of Fc was lower than that of 3C60. Therefore, energy transfer from 3C60 to ferrocene decreases the electron-transfer process from ferrocene to 3C60. To increase the participation of electron transfer, introduction of electron-donor substituents to Fc (phi(et) = 0.46 for decamethylferrocene in BN) and an increase in solvent polarity (phi(et) = 0.58 in BN:DMF (1:2) for decamethylferrocene) were effective.