Synthetic potential and limitations of o-quinones as acceptor groups in electron transfer compounds

Syntheses have been developed that utilize o-quinones as suitable acceptor groups in porphyrin-based diad and triad donor–acceptor compounds. While alkyl groups at the 3,6-position of the quinone stabilize the target compounds, oxidative degradation and dimerization reactions can occur depending on the type of the porphyrin and quinone part. Thus, care has to be taken in choosing the right quinone and porphyrin component when designing novel electron transfer compounds.