ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes recent research from our laboratory
on multichromophoric molecules that perform as components of
artificial photosynthetic systems. The basic scientific principles
underlying the design of these molecules were drawn from natural
photosynthetic energy conversion, but thematerials used to prepare
them are synthetic. The systems consist of chromophores and elec-
tron and energy donors and acceptors that have been chemically
linked to form artificial reaction centers and antennas, and to mimic
some aspects of photosynthetic regulation and photoprotection.
These chromophores include porphyrins, fullerenes, carotenoid
polyenes, antenna moieties, and photochromic materials. We begin
with an introduction to artificial photosynthesis and a simple exam-
ple. More complex systems including multichromophore arrays
and systems that incorporate photoregulatory elements are then
discussed. We have chosen examples based on a single organic
framework-hexaphenylbenzene-as an organizing unit for the var-
ious chromophores, donors, and acceptors.
