Electron Transfer in a Supramolecular Associate of a Fullerene Fragment

Herein, we investigate the association of a fullerene fragment, hemifullerene C30H12, with an electron‐donating bowl‐shaped tetrathiafulvalene derivative (truxTTF). UV/Vis titrations and DFT calculations support formation of the supramolecular complex, for which an association constant of log Ka=3.6±0.3 in CHCl3 at room temperature is calculated. Remarkably, electron transfer from truxTTF to C30H12 to form the fully charge‐separated species takes place upon irradiation of the associate with light, constituting the first example in which a fullerene fragment mimics the electron‐accepting behavior of fullerenes within a supramolecular complex. Bowl meets bowl: The association of a fullerene fragment, hemifullerene C30H12, with an electron‐donating bowl‐shaped tetrathiafulvalene derivative (truxTTF) has been investigated. Electron transfer from truxTTF to C30H12 to form the fully charge‐separated species takes place upon irradiation of the associate with light, constituting the first example in which a fullerene fragment mimics the electron‐accepting behavior of the fullerenes within a supramolecular complex.