Supramolecular stacking in a high Z′ calix[8]arene–porphyrin assembly

A co-crystal structure of sulfonato-calix[8]arene (sclx8) and trimethylanilinium-porphyrin (tmap) at 1.0 Å resolution is reported.

Relationship between the photoinduced electron transfer and binding modes of a pyrene-porphyrin dyad to DNA

The binding modes of a pyrene-porphyrin dyad, (1-pyrenyl)-tris(N-methyl-p-pyridino)porphyrin (PyTMpyP), to DNA and its photophysical properties have been investigated using various spectroscopic techniques. The circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of PyTMpyP bound to DNA (PyTMpyP-DNA) showed one negative and two positive bands in the Soret region. The CD signal in the pyrene absorption region was positive. The shape of the CD spectrum does not support an intercalative binding mode of TMpyP, which would typically afford a negative CD band in the absence of the pyrene moiety. Linear dichroism (LD) experiments revealed a very small signal in the Soret region, which also challenges the intercalation of TMpyP into DNA. Upon excitation of the pyrene moiety, the emission intensity of porphyrin in aqueous solution was quenched due to a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process between the pyrenyl and porphyrin moieties. On the other hand, the emission of porphyrin was markedly enhanced upon binding to DNA, as the PET process from the excited pyrene moiety to TMpyP was suppressed when bound to DNA. The PET process occurs in the timescale of 65 ps, and could be detected by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopic methods. Two fluorescence decay times were observed for PyTMpyP in aqueous solution (0.78 and 4.8 ns). Both decay times increased upon binding to DNA owing to environment and/or conformational changes in PyTMpyP. The driving force (ΔG) of the PET process was evaluated under conditions of minor and major groove binding. The PET process and photophysical properties of the PyTMpyP dyad were concluded to be influenced by the binding mode.

To what extent can charge localization influence electron injection efficiency at graphene–porphyrin interfaces?

With careful control of the charge localization of the TMPyP cavity using β-cyclodextrin as an external cage, we successfully improved the interfacial-electron injection efficiency from cationic TMPyP to GC by 120% compared to TMPyP alone.

A DFT study of a new class of gold nanocluster-photochrome multi-functional switches

The structural and electronic properties of dithienylethene photochromic molecules grafted onto a Au₂₅ nanocluster are reviewed and electron/energy transfers are discussed with the help of (TD-)DFT calculations.

Polystyrene nanofiber materials modified with an externally bound porphyrin photosensitizer

Polystyrene ion-exchange nanofiber materials with large surface areas and adsorption capacities were prepared by electrospinning followed by the sulfonation and adsorption of a cationic 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (TMPyP) photosensitizer on the nanofiber surfaces. The morphology, structure, and photophysical properties of these nanofiber materials were characterized by microscopic methods and steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence and absorption spectroscopies. The externally bound TMPyP can be excited by visible light to form triplet states and singlet oxygen O2((1)Δg) and singlet oxygen-sensitized delayed fluorescence (SODF). The photophysical properties of the nanofibers were strongly dependent on the amount of bound TMPyP molecules and their organization on the nanofiber surfaces. The nanofibers demonstrated photooxidative activity toward inorganic and organic molecules and antibacterial activity against E. coli due to the sensitized formation of O2((1)Δg) that is an effective oxidation/cytotoxic agent. The nanofiber materials also adsorbed heavy metal cations (Pb(2+)) and removed them from the water environment.

Molecular assemblies of porphyrins and macrocyclic receptors: recent developments in their synthesis and applications

Metalloporphyrins which form the core of many bioenzymes and natural light harvesting or electron transport systems, exhibit a variety of selective functional properties depending on the state and surroundings with which they exist in biological systems. The specificity and ease with which they function in each of their bio-functions appear to be largely governed by the nature and disposition of the protein globule around the porphyrin reaction center. Synthetic porphyrin frameworks confined within or around a pre-organized molecular entity like the protein network in natural systems have attracted considerable attraction, especially in the field of biomimetic reactions. At the same time a large number of macrocyclic oligomers such as calixarenes, resorcinarenes, spherands, cyclodextrins and crown ethers have been investigated in detail as efficient molecular receptors. These molecular receptors are synthetic host molecules with enclosed interiors, which are designed three dimensionally to ensure strong and precise molecular encapsulation/recognition. Due to their complex structures, enclosed guest molecules reside in an environment isolated from the outside and as a consequence, physical properties and chemical reactions specific to that environment in these guest species can be identified. The facile incorporation of such molecular receptors into the highly photoactive and catalytically efficient porphyrin framework allows for convenient design of useful molecular systems with unique structural and functional properties. Such systems have provided over the years attractive model systems for the study of various biological and chemical processes, and the design of new materials and molecular devices. This review focuses on the recent developments in the synthesis of porphyrin assemblies associated with cyclodextrins, calixarenes and resorcinarenes and their potential applications in the fields of molecular encapsulation/recognition, and chemical catalysis.