A tweezer-like subphthalocyanine-based ensemble has been developed for the selective recognition of fullerenes. The physicochemical properties of both the photoactive receptor and its inclusion complexes with fullerenes have been investigated.

Porphyrinoids are considered perfect candidates for the preparation of model electron donor-acceptor (D-A) systems as they enable fast and efficient photoinduced electron transfer. Herein, we report on the synthesis and photophysical characterization of a ZnPcÀ SubPc conjugate covalently connected through a short-range alkyne spacer. We designed and prepared the conjugate, which comprise, on the one hand, a perfluorinated SubPc with strong electron acceptor character and, on the other, a Pc peripherally functionalized with carbazoles with strong electron donor character. Photoinduced electron transfer events are in-depth analyzed by several techniques, including steady-state absorption, time-resolved emission and transient absorption measurements on different time scales. Our studies confirm a full charge separation occurring from a photoexcited charge transfer state.

Dedicated to Professor Joan Bosch on his retirement.

Herein, a novel electron donor-acceptor hybrid consisting of a NIR absorbing azulenocyanine as electron donor and few-layer graphene as electron acceptor was prepared. The extended aromatic core of azulenocyanine assist in the exfoliation of graphite and allows formation of a very high-quality few-layer graphene azulenocyanine hybrid system. The development of new chromophoric receptors able to bind curved carbon nanostructures is at the epicenter of the quest for fullerene-based organic photovoltaics with improved performances. Herein, a subphthalocyanine-based multicomponent ensemble consisting of two electron-rich SubPc-monomers rigidly attached to the convex surface of a electron-poor SubPc-dimer has been synthesized and characterized. Such a unique conformation, especialy in terms of the two SubPc-monomers, together with the overall stiffness of the tether endows the multicomponent system with a well-defined tweezer-like topology to efficiently embrace a fullerene in its inner cavity. The selective on-surface synthesis of a porphyrin-graphene nanoribbon hybrid has been accomplished. The atomically precise structure of the hybrid has been unambiguously characterized by bond-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy and noncontact atomic force microscopy.