Anthracene-based azo dyes for photo-induced proton-coupled electron transfer

Chem Commun (Camb). 2019 May 25;55(42):5874-5877. doi: 10.1039/c9cc01206k. Epub 2019 May 2.

Abstract

Herein, we report a new donor-acceptor system for photo-induced proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) that leverages an azo linkage as the proton-sensitive component and anthracene as a photo-trigger. Electrochemistry shows a change in the reduction potential with addition of acid. However, photochemistry is invariant to the absence or presence of acid. The anthracene and phenol/4-methoxyphenyl moieties of the azo dyes are highly conjugated, likely mitigating photo-induced charge transfer, despite sufficient driving force.