Model Reactions for Photosynthesis—Photoinduced Charge and Energy Transfer between Covalently Linked Porphyrin and Quinone Units

TLDR

Photosynthesis is a highly efficient process driven by charge separation at reaction centers, a phenomenon that has evolved to achieve near‑100 % quantum yield despite competing deactivation pathways. This report focuses on recent developments in the study of electron transfer in porphyrinoquinones. Biomimetic model compounds composed of porphyrins and quinones have been constructed to mimic natural pigments. These model systems have allowed the study of the factors contributing to the highly efficient charge separation.

Abstract

Abstract Photosynthesis is one of the fascinating fields of current interdisciplinary research. It seems miraculous that nature, in the process of evolution, has managed to bring about the process of photosynthesis. The first step involves a charge separation at the reaction centers, which proceeds with 100% quantum yield from the photoexcited singlet state of the bacteriochlorophyll donor, despite the fact that the wasteful deactivation of the electron into the ground state should be highly favored. Biomimetic model compounds (that is, those which resemble the pigments nature has developed) have been constructed from porphyrins and quinones. These model systems have allowed the study of the factors contributing to the highly efficient charge separation. This report focuses on recent developments in the study of electron transfer in porphyrinoquinones. Some of the results of these investigations may not be not fully understood and are often the subject of controversial discussions.