Photo-initiated multi-step electron transfer in donor–acceptor systems using a novel bi-functionalized perylene chromophore

Abstract The excited state and redox properties of a new bi-functional perylene redox chromophore, 2,3-dihydro-1-azabenzo[cd]perylene (DABP), are described. Perylene has been widely used in electron donor–acceptor molecules in fields ranging from artificial photosynthesis to molecular spintronics. However, attaching multiple redox components to perylene to carry out multi-step electron transfer reactions often produces hard to separate regioisomers, which complicate data analysis. The use of DABP provides a strategy to retain the electronic properties of perylene, yet eliminate regioisomers. Ultrafast photo-initiated single- and two-step electron transfer reactions in three linear electron donor–acceptor systems incorporating DABP are described to illustrate its utility.