Manipulation of electronic structure via supporting ligands: a charge disproportionate model within the linear metal framework of asymmetric nickel string [Ni(7)(phdptrany)(4)Cl](PF(6)).

This paper describes the synthesis and physical properties of an uniquely asymmetric heptanickel string complex exhibiting a charge disproportionate model along the linear nickel framework.

Probing the electronic communication of linear heptanickel and nonanickel string complexes by utilizing two redox-active [Ni2(napy)4]3+ moieties.

Two extended nickel string complexes, [Ni(7)(bnapy)(4)Cl(2)](Cl)(2) (2) and [Ni(9)(bnapya)(4)Cl(2)](PF(6))(2) (3) (bnapy(2-) = 2,6-bis(1,8-naphthyridylamido)pyridine and bnapya(3-) = bis(6-(1,8-naphthyridylamido)pyridyl)amido), which possess two redox-active [Ni(2)(napy)(4)](3+) units, were synthesized and characterized. The electronic communication between the two redox-active units in both complexes can be investigated not only by magnetic measurements but also by analyzing the difference between two consecutive one-electron oxidation peaks (DeltaE(1/2)) of 2 and 3. The antiferromagnetic coupling between the two [Ni(2)(napy)(4)](3+) fragments become weaker as the metal frameworks are elongated (J = -13.21 and -1.48 cm(-1) for 2 and 3, respectively). Moreover, the DeltaE(1/2) values of 2 and 3 are 110 and 84 mV, respectively, which are smaller than that (300 mV) of their pentanickel analogue [Ni(5)(bna)(4)(Cl)(2)](PF(6))(2) (bna(-) = bisnaphthyridylamido) (1). These DeltaE(1/2) values indicate that the electronic communication decreases with increasing number of inner diamagnetic nickel ions in nickel string complexes.

Synthesis and characterization of diporphyrin sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Novel porphyrin dimers with broad and strong absorption in the visible and/or near IR regions have been synthesized; the meso-meso-linked porphyrin dimer (YDD1) exhibited the best photovoltaic performance with power conversion efficiency 5.2% under AM 1.5G one solar illumination.

Design and characterization of highly efficient porphyrin sensitizers for green see-through dye-sensitized solar cells.

YD12 (eta = 6.7%) is a green sensitizer remarkable for its outstanding cell performance beyond that of N719 (eta = 6.1%) with no added scattering layer; the additional scattering layer assists N719 in promoting the efficiency in the red shoulder of the spectrum, but has only a small effect on the improvement of the cell performance for porphyrins.

A waterwheel-shaped meso-meso-linked porphyrin pentamer.

Wheels on water? A waterwheel-shaped porphyrin pentamer has been synthesized by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The key intermediate is a boronate porphyrin, in which four boronic ester groups are directly attached to the meso-positions.