Porphyrin-based nonlinear optical chromophores for optoelectronics

Synthesis, spectroscopy, and photophysics of multi-chromophoric Zn(II)-group 8 metal complexes

Problem:

Electron and energy transfer processes are important chemical research areas. Detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying these reactions can help lead to the design of synthetic enzymes that catalyze highly specific redox reactions, catalysts for alkane activation that feature electron transfer initiation, and photosynthetic reaction center mimics and light harvesting for solar energy storage and molecular electronic devices.

Solution:

The Therien Lab has developed new synthetic chromophores that can be used in nonlinear optical devices and optoelectronic applications. These chromophores feature a central (porphinato)zinc (II) unit and peripheral metal-bis-terpyridyl complexes coupled via a bridging moiety. There is a low-lying bridge (ZnP) excited state that is polarized exclusively along the long axis of the molecule. Metal-mediated cross-coupling is carried out to synthesize the compounds.