Artificial photosynthetic reaction center by molecular assemblies

Simulation of photoelectric conversion in the photosynthetic reaction center by monomolecular layer assemblies was accomplished by using a folded or a linear-type A-S-D triad as a charge separation unit. These synthetic amphiphilic triad molecules have three functional moieties within a molecule, i.e. the hydrophilic electron-acceptor viologen (A), the hydrophobic sensitizer pyrene or perylene (S), and the hydrophobic electron-donor ferrocene (D) moiety. The light harvesting by antenna pigments and the succeeding charge separation processes were simulated. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy results for pyrene and perylene derivatives in alcohol and photocurrent spectra for monolayer assemblies consisting of antennas and triads are presented and discussed