Photochemical energy conversion in a helical oligoproline assembly

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996 Aug 6;93(16):8200-4. doi: 10.1073/pnas.93.16.8200.

Abstract

A general method is described for constructing a helical oligoproline assembly having a spatially ordered array of functional sites protruding from a proline-II helix. Three different redox-active carboxylic acids were coupled to the side chain of cis-4-amino-L-proline. These redox modules were incorporated through solid-phase peptide synthesis into a 13-residue helical oligoproline assembly bearing in linear array a phenothiazine electron donor, a tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chromophore, and an anthraquinone electron acceptor. Upon transient 460-nm irradiation in acetonitrile, this peptide triad formed with 53% efficiency an excited state containing a phenothiazine radical cation and an anthraquinone radical anion. This light-induced redox-separated state had a lifetime of 175 ns and stored 1.65 eV of energy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Models, Molecular
  • Oxidation-Reduction*
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Photochemistry
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Peptides
  • polyproline