Open AccessConformational control of electron transfer states: Induction of molecular photodiode behaviour
Author(s) -
Rettig Wolfgang,
Maus Michael,
Lapouyade René
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
berichte der bunsengesellschaft für physikalische chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0005-9021
DOI - 10.1002/bbpc.19961001229
Subject(s) - excited state , ground state , relaxation (psychology) , chemistry , photochemistry , electron transfer , biphenyl , photodiode , photosynthetic reaction centre , spectral line , acceptor , fluorescence , electron , cndo/2 , electron donor , atomic physics , molecular physics , molecule , materials science , physics , optoelectronics , optics , organic chemistry , condensed matter physics , psychology , social psychology , astronomy , catalysis , quantum mechanics
Fluorescence rate constants of various donor‐acceptor biphenyl model compounds were compared with their corresponding absorption spectra in solvents of different polarity and analysed with respect to their molecular conformations in ground and excited states. For a pretwisted derivative, the typical behaviour of a molecular photodiode was observed i. e. allowed access to the excited state but forbidden return to the ground state. This is interpreted by assuming a structural relaxation towards an orbitally‐decoupled conformation. Implications regarding similar observations for the photosynthetic reaction center are discussed.