ABSTRACT

Electron transfer is of fundamental importance in many areas of

chemistry and biochemistry [1]. The ability to transfer charge

efficiently over distances in the 10 nm range is crucial in vari-

ous practical devices, such as organic transistors and solar cells-

both dye-sensitized metal oxide solar cells and bulk-heterojunction

blend devices [2]. Furthermore, in the context of the ever-decreasing

dimensions of integrated circuits, it is interesting to study charge

transport through individual molecules [3]. Organic π -conjugated

oligomers and polymers are attractive candidates as molecular

wires, because modern synthetic chemistry can be used to create

almost any type of π -conjugated backbone, while non-covalent

interactions and supramolecular chemistry can be used to modify

the backbone conformation. Interactions of conjugated oligomers,

both with each other and with the external environment, can

also be controlled by self-assembly and non-covalent encapsulation

[4].