Quantitative exploration of electron transfer in a single noncovalent supramolecular assembly

Electron transfer through a noncovalent interaction bears essential relevance to the functions of bottom-up supramolecular assembly. However, rather little knowledge regarding such phenomena at the single-molecule level is currently available. Herein we report the direct quantification of electron-transfer processes for a single noncovalently linked porphyrin-fullerene dyad. Facilitated electron transfer via a charge-transfer interaction in-between was successfully measured by utilizing a fullerene molecular tip. The rectification property of the supramolecular assembly was determined and quantitatively assessed. The present study opens up a way to explore quantitatively the rich electronic properties of supramolecules at the single-molecule level.