β-(p-Carboxyaminophenyl)porphyrin derivatives: new dyes for TiO2 dye-sensitized solar cells

New β-(p-carboxyaminophenyl)porphyrin derivatives were efficiently synthesized via palladium-catalysed amination of methyl 4-iodobenzoate with (2-amino-5-10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinato)nickel(II), followed by a demetallation/metallation sequence and basic hydrolysis. Optical and electrochemical studies revealed their potentiality for being considered as dyes in DSSCs devices, in which a power conversion efficiency of about 30 % of the more conventional Ru(II)-sensitizer N719 was achieved.