Dynamic synthesis of a macrocycle containing a porphyrin and an electron donor

New macrocycles incorporating a porphyrin and a π electron-rich aromatic were prepared from a dynamic disulfide library. The outcome could be influenced by use of templates.Supramolecular assemblies have been used in biomimetic photo-dynamic systems that seek to replicate both rapid electron transfer processes and efficient charge-separation. These are fundamental characteristics of photosynthetic model systems and artificial photosynthesis devices. While there have been many examples of covalently-linked donor-acceptor systems, access to such structures is often limited by intricate synthesis. Thus, non-covalently linked donor-acceptor complexes have been investigated as a way to overcome such obstacles.