Photoinduced processes in multicomponent arrays containing transition metal complexes

The authors' recent activity in the study of photoinduced energy and electr on transfer in linear arrays containing porphyrins assembled around a Ru(II ) ion, is reviewed. The effect of substituents and distance and the role of the heavy metal ion is discussed. The photophysical and electrochemical pr operties of Ir(III) terpyridine complexes indicate that Ir(III) ion is a go od candidate to successfully replace Ru(II) in the construction of multipor phyrinic linear arrays to achieve efficient photoinduced electron transfer. Preliminary results on multi-porphyrinic systems based on Ir(III) bis-terp yridine are presented. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.