Molecular electronics of metallic complexes of porphyrinoids

Abstract

Porphyrinoids consist in a class of materials closely related to nature. Without porphyrins, life as we know would not exist, since they are responsible for conversion of sunlight into chemical energy, in chloroplasts, transport and reduction of oxygen in hemoglobins and electron transport and catalysis in citochromes. In analogy to nature and due to its exceptional optical and electronical properties, it has already been widely applied from photodynamic therapy, sensors, catalysis and photovoltaics dyes. However, the development of these materials are mostly based on "trial and error" methodology. Where we know that changing its complexed metallic center and its meso/²-pyrrolic ligands will change its properties, but the outcome on its electron transfer and catalytic properties are difficult to predict. For these reasons, the main objective of this project is to study a class of expanded porphyrins: the hexaphyrin. A series of different metalled hexaphyrins have been proposed with the objective of understanding how the complexed metal influences its electron transfer and electrocatalysis, as well as possible interactions among metal centers in the same molecule. (AU)