Synthesis of a Chlorin Fullerene Dyad for Artificial Photosynthesis

To mimic photosynthesis a new chlorin fullerene dyad 4b was synthesized. Chlorin donor and fullerene acceptor subunits were linked by means of a Diels–Alder reaction. The chlorin donor moiety represents the characteristic chromophore of chlorophylls. Nature and evolution has optimized chlorophylls to be efficient light‐harvesting pigments. Artificial photosynthesis devices should also benefit from this evolutionary optimization. The rigid spacer and quite extended spacer geometry of 4b was chosen to minimize electron interaction between the chlorin donor and the fullerene acceptor.