Afin d'obtenir une meilleure compréhension de l'étape clé du système photosynthétique (la formation d’un état à charges séparées), une nouvelle famille de systèmes donneur-accepteur supramoléculaires a été préparée.Nous avons notamment acquis une meilleure compréhension de la nature des interactions π-π entre le C60 et les porphyrines (résultant d'un processus régi principalement par des forces de van der Waals) et de l'affinité des éthers couronnes vis-à-vis des fullerènes (résultant d'une combinaison entre interactions π-π, n-π et CH-π). Les propriétés supramoléculaires des dimères de porphyrines ont été aussi explorées, prouvant leur communication électronique à travers leurs sous-unités. Finalement, la coopérativité chélate d'un de nos systèmes a été évaluée par la molarité efficace. / In order to gain a better understanding of the key step of the photosynthetic system (formation of a charged separated stated), a series of new supramolecular crown ether containing donnor-aceptor ensembles have been obtained.Notably we have gained further insight in the nature of π-π stacking between C60 and porphyrins (arising from a process mainly governed by van der Waals forces) and the affinity of crown ethers towards fullerenes(arising from an interplay of π-π, n-π and CH-π interactions). The properties of porphyrin arrays have been explored, evidencing the electronic communication through subunits. Finally, the chelate cooperativity of one our systems has also been assessed through the effective molarity.

The research and development of organic electron donors is essential in the discovery of photodynamic therapy photosensitizers and catalysts, as well as in the fabrication of organic-based electronic devices. Recently, [pi]-extended tetrathiafulvalenes (exTTFs) have emerged as important organic donors due to their superb electronic properties. However, in general, exTTFs lack significant absorption in the visible and near-infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, thereby limiting their utility. This doctoral dissertation depicts the author's efforts to address this inherent drawback of exTTFs by extending the electronic conjugation of tetrathiafulvalene moieties through pyrrole-based chromophores. The reported findings describe the design, synthesis, properties and potential applications of exTTFs with greatly enhanced absorption profiles. The first Chapter provides a brief historical overview on the history and development of [pi]-extended tetrathiafulvalenes. The various conjugated linkers utilized in exTTF systems are reviewed. In the latter part of the Chapter, emphasis is given to the applications in which exTTFs find use. Chapter 2, as the major focus of the dissertation, details the synthesis and characteristics of a quinoidal porphyrin-bridged exTTF, termed MTTFP. Several metalated complexes, including the Zn, Co, Cu, and Ni derivatives of MTTFP are reported. Additionally, the electrochemical, photophysical, and structural properties of MTTFPs are discussed. We also detail our efforts to synthesize and characterize both the one- and two-electron oxidized forms of MTTFPs. Finally, we discuss our efforts to reversibly switch thermodynamic electron transfer from ZnTTFP to Li@C₆₀ through coordination of axial ligands. Chapter 3 describes the formation of a 2:1 supramolecular ionic porphyrin complex between the two-electron oxidized form of ZnTTFP and a tetranionic sulfonated porphyrin. The association constants and the X-ray crystal structure of the complex are reported. A brief discussion outlining the photophysical characteristics (performed in Prof. Shunichi Fukuzumi and Prof. Dongho Kim's group) of the porphyrin donor-acceptor complexes are included. Chapter 4 details the synthesis, photophysical properties, and spectroelectrochemistry of a difluoroboradiazaindacene (BODIPY) bridged exTTF. This compound is referred to as ex-BODIPY. A singlet oxygen generation study provides initial evidence that ex-BODIPY could potentially serve as a photosensitizer. All of the experimental procedures, characterization data, and X-ray crystallographic data tables are reported in Chapter 5. / text