Electron Transfer Through Butadiyne-Linked Porphyrin-Based Molecular Wires

Book chapter, 2012

Electron transfer is of fundamental importance in many areas of chemistry and biochemistry [1]. The ability to transfer charge efficiently over distances in the 10 nm range is crucial in various practical devices, such as organic transistors and solar cells both dye-sensitized metal oxide solar cells and bulk-heterojunction blend devices [2]. Furthermore, in the context of the ever-decreasing dimensions of integrated circuits, it is interesting to study charge transport through individual molecules [3]. Organic π -conjugated oligomers and polymers are attractive candidates as molecularwires, because modern synthetic chemistry can be used to create almost any type of π -conjugated backbone, while non-covalent interactions and supramolecular chemistry can be used to modify the backbone conformation. Interactions of conjugated oligomers, both with each other and with the external environment, can also be controlled by self-assembly and non-covalent encapsulation.