β-Functionalized Push-Pull Porphyrin Sensitizers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Effect of π-Conjugated Spacers.

A series of new β-functionalized push-pull-structured porphyrin dyes were synthesized so as to investigate the effect of the π-conjugated spacer on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Suzuki- and Heck-type palladium-catalyzed coupling methodologies were used to obtain various β-functionalized porphyrins and β-benzoic acid (ZnPHn) and β-vinylbenzoic acid (ZnPVn) derivatives from β-borylated porphyrin precursors. Photophysical studies of the resulting porphyrins revealed a clear dependence on the nature of the β linker.