Energy transfer side reactions

Peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence is the most efficient nonenzymatic chemiluminescent reaction known. Quantum efficiencies as high as 22—27% have been reported for oxalate esters prepared from 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and 3-trif1uoromethy1-4-nitropheno1 (6,76,77) with the duorescers mbrene [517-51-1] (78,79) or 5,12-bis(phenylethynyl)naphthacene [18826-29-4] (79). For most reactions, however, a quantum efficiency of 4% or less is more common with many in the range of lO " to 10 ein/mol (80). The inefficiency in the chemiexcitation process undoubtedly arises from the transfer of energy of the activated peroxyoxalate to the duorescer. The inefficiency in the CIEEL sequence derives from multiple side reactions available to the reactive intermediates in competition with the excited state producing back-electron transfer process. 

Modeling of the reaction center inside the hole of LHl shows that the primary photon acceptor—the special pair of chlorophyll molecules—is located at the same level in the membrane, about 10 A from the periplasmic side, as the 850-nm chlorophyll molecules in LH2, and by analogy the 875-nm chlorophyll molecules of LHl. Furthermore, the orientation of these chlorophyll molecules is such that very rapid energy transfer can take place within a plane parallel to the membrane surface. The position and orientation of the chlorophyll molecules in these rings are thus optimal for efficient energy transfer to the reaction center. 

In general, the activation energies for both cationic and anionic polymerization are small. For this reason, low-temperature conditions are normally used to reduce side reactions. Low temperatures also minimize chain transfer reactions. These reactions produce low-molecular weight polymers by disproportionation of the propagating polymer ... 

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the artificial photosynthetic reaction center by a monolayer assembly by A-S-D triad and antenna molecules for light harvesting (H), lateral energy migration and energy transfer, and charge separation across the membrane via multistep electron transfer (a) Side view of mono-layer assembly, (b) top view of a triad surrounded by H molecules, and (c) energy diagram for photo-electric conversion in a monolayer assembly.

In the photochemical conversion model (Fig. 3), the most serious problem is the undesired and energy-consuming back electron transfer (shown as dotted arrows) as well as side electron transfer, e.g., the electron transfer from (Q) to (T2)ox. It is almost impossible to prevent these undesired electron transfers, if the reactions are carried out in a homogeneous solution where all the components encounter with each other freely. In order to overcome this problem, the use of heterogeneous conversion systems such as molecular assemblies or polymers has attracted many researchers. The arrangement of the components on a carrier, or the separation of the Tj—Q sites from the T2—C2 ones in a heterogeneous phase must prevent the side reactions of electron transfer. 

When electron transfer sensitizers are bonded to polymers the sensitizer efficiency is in general reduced. This is caused by (a) loss of segment mobility, (b) enhanced excimer formation (energy trap), (c) enhanced side reactions, and... 

In the last step, a reactor model was developed taking into account of both the mass transfer of organic components between the two phases and the homogeneous reaction within the aqueous phase, the latter relying on literature data [22], From there, an extended kinetic model was developed and applied, considering the kinetics of the homogeneous side reactions as well [22], With these efforts, the activation energies of these processes could be derived. 

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