Triplet Distribution in a Symmetrical Zinc(II) Porphyrin-BODIPY Pentameric Array

A symmetrical molecular array has been synthesized comprising a central zinc(II) 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin with identical boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) units appended at each of the meso sites. Excitation of any subunit causes a cascade of electronic energy-transfer steps, ultimately leading to the BODIPY triplet-excited state in high yield. Coincidentally, the triplet energy levels of the zinc(II) porphyrin and BODIPY appendage are closely balanced such that an equilibrium is established at both 77 K and room temperature. This fast equilibration allows global distribution of the triplet exciton around the array, leading to a significantly increased capture volume for bimolecular quenching and a substantial increase in the rate constant for bimolecular triplet-triplet annihilation. The corresponding free-base porphyrin analogue does not favor triplet exciton decentralization because of the large disparity in the electronic energy levels.