Photoinduced electron transfer between conjugated polymers and a homologous series of TCNQ derivatives

The results of photoinduced absorption (PIA) and photoluminescence studies of the photoinduced electron transfer reactions from conjugated polymer donors onto a series of acceptors based on TCNQ and benzoquinone derivatives containing fused aromatic rings are summarized. The results are compared to the well-defined photoinduced electron transfer demonstrated from conjugated polymer donors onto buckminsterfullerene, C 60. For the TCNQ derivatives, the efficiency of the electron transfer process correlates with the reduction potential of the acceptors. However, photoinduced electron transfer was not observed in the case of the benzoquinone derivatives, although their electrochemical reduction potentials are similar to C 60.