Robust Benzo[g, h, i]perylenetriimide Dye-Sensitized Electrodes in Air-Saturated Aqueous Buffer Solution

Highly electron deficient benzo[ghi]perylenetriimide (BPTI) chromophores were persistently anchored to a metal oxide electrode surface and reversible formation of their radical anions was shown in air-saturated aqueous buffer solution. Our results show a very low reaction-rate constant of BPTI(.-) with O2 (k=1.92 ± 0.05 × 10(-2) s(-1)). BPTI is a robust chromophore that can be used as the electron acceptor in molecule-based artificial photosynthetic devices for direct water splitting in aqueous phase.