C60-based dumbbells: connecting C60 cages through electroactive bridges

Abstract

Recent examples of C₆₀ dumbbells covalently linked by different electron-donor fragments (porphyrins, π-conjugated oligomers, TTFs, etc.) are summarized and their main properties highlighted. Although, similarly to the related C₆₀–donor dyads, no significant electronic interaction has been observed between the three electroactive components in the ground state, namely two C₆₀ units and the electron-donor fragment, the presence of a second C₆₀ cage provides enhanced photophysical properties to the final triads in comparison to the related dyads. These findings suggest the presence of a cooperative effect. Some of these C₆₀ dumbbell triads have been applied in the construction of photovoltaic devices and the results obtained indicate that they can play a very active role in the emerging field of optoelectronic devices.