Design of synthetic molecular units including quinones towards the construction of artificial photosynthesis

Quinones are essential components in many biological systems, notably in photosynthesis. This is largely due to the characteristic proton-coupled redox chemistry of quinones. This review article overviews the use of quinones in studies on artificial photosynthesis, as one-electron electron acceptors, reversible proton/electron carriers, and replacements for sacrificial oxidant and reductants in photosynthetic chemical conversion. Topics included are the early attempts on intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer involving quinones, subsequent reactions after photoinduced electron transfer between pigments and quinones, photochemistry in molecular assemblies containing quinones, and photochemical quinone/hydroquinone interconversion.