Photoinduced Electron Transfer Processes in Biological and Artificial Supramolecules

Abstract In this chapter, we introduce the photoinduced electron‐transfer processes in supramolecular systems and related biological systems that display phenomena of self‐assembly, namely, photosynthesis system and DNA. Photoinduced energy and electron‐transfer processes in natural photosynthesis systems are reviewed at first on the basis of the structure and kinetic parameters. Then, artificial photosynthesis systems, which convert light energy to chemical products such as ATP and molecular oxygen or electronic current in solar cell, are introduced. In addition, molecular machines based on electron transfer, which convert light energy to machinery motions, are also discussed. Next, chemosensors for ion and molecule detection and sensing are described using selected examples. In the following part, the photoinduced electron transfer in DNA is reviewed. The oxidative and reductive electron transfers in DNA are introduced on the basis of the kinetic parameters. Finally, sensing of base sequence in DNA on the basis of the electron‐transfer process is introduced.