Energy transfer in aggregates of bacteriochlorophyll c self-assembled with azulene derivatives
Language English Country Great Britain, England Media print
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
24999619
DOI
10.1039/c4cp01311e
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- MeSH
- Azulenes chemistry MeSH
- Bacterial Proteins chemistry MeSH
- Bacteriochlorophylls chemistry MeSH
- Energy Transfer MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- azulene MeSH Browser
- Azulenes MeSH
- bacteriochlorophyll c MeSH Browser
- Bacterial Proteins MeSH
- Bacteriochlorophylls MeSH
Bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c is the main light-harvesting pigment of certain photosynthetic bacteria. It is found in the form of self-assembled aggregates in the so-called chlorosomes. Here we report the results of co-aggregation experiments of BChl c with azulene and its tailored derivatives. We have performed spectroscopic and quantum chemical characterization of the azulenes, followed by self-assembly experiments. The results show that only azulenes with sufficient hydrophobicity are able to induce aggregation of BChl c. Interestingly, only azulene derivatives possessing a conjugated phenyl ring were capable of efficient (∼50%) excitation energy transfer to BChl molecules. These aggregates represent an artificial light-harvesting complex with enhanced absorption between 220 and 350 nm compared to aggregates of pure BChl c. The results provide insight into the principles of self-assembly of BChl aggregates and suggest an important role of the π-π interactions in efficient energy transfer.
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