The photophysics and photochemistry of cofacial free base and metallated bisporphyrins held together by covalent architectures

This review focuses on the photophysical properties of bisporphyrin systems held in a face-to-face configuration by covalent bonds via flexible or rigid spacers and metal-metal bonds. The cofacial arrangement induces intramolecular bismacrocycle interactions promoting basic photophysical events such as excitonic interactions and energy and electron transfers. These events are relevant to mimic light harvesting and reactor devices known for photosynthesis in plants, and can be monitored by luminescence and flash photolysis methods. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.