Near-IR Light-Induced Electron Transfer via Dynamic Quenching

The utilization of near-infrared light is an important objective for the high-efficiency utilization of solar energy. Here, we describe a new class of a near-infrared light-induced electron transfer system using a distorted phthalocyanine as a photosensitizer. We revealed that the appropriate modification of distorted phthalocyanine affords a near-infrared absorbing dye with high photostability and long excitation lifetime, and a near-infrared light-induced electron transfer system was successfully established using the dye. The mechanistic investigation clarified that the electron transfer system works via a dynamic quenching mechanism. The system generated a long-lived anion radical species of the dye upon near-infrared light irradiation (>750 nm).