Kinetic pathway for interfacial electron transfer from a semiconductor to a molecule

Molecular approaches to solar-energy conversion require a kinetic optimization of light-induced electron-transfer reactions. At molecular–semiconductor interfaces, this optimization has previously been accomplished through control of the distance between the semiconductor donor and the molecular acceptor and/or the free energy that accompanies electron transfer. Here we show that a kinetic pathway for electron transfer from a semiconductor to a molecular acceptor also exists and provides an alternative method for the control of interfacial kinetics. The pathway was identified by the rational design of molecules in which the distance and the driving force were held near parity and only the geometric torsion about a xylyl- or phenylthiophene bridge was varied. Electronic coupling through the phenyl bridge was a factor of ten greater than that through the xylyl bridge. Comparative studies revealed a significant bridge dependence for electron transfer that could not be rationalized by a change in distance or driving force. Instead, the data indicate an interfacial electron-transfer pathway that utilizes the aromatic bridge orbitals. While important for solar energy conversion, it is unclear whether electron transfer at molecular–semiconductor interfaces is influenced only by the distance over which the injected electron tunnels and whether specific through-bond pathways are active. Now, a pathway for electron transfer has been identified through comparative analysis of compounds with phenyl- or xylyl-thiophene bridges.