Theoretical Study of the Optical Properties of Artificial Self-Assembled Zinc Chlorins

Abstract

The optical properties of the supramolecular aggregates formed by semisynthetic 31-methoxy zinc chlorins were studied theoretically using an exciton theory description. The exciton coupling between the chromophores was calculated using a transition density formalism, making it possible to distinguish stereochemical differences that arise from the facial orientations of the chiral zinc chlorin molecules in the aggregate. It is shown that the precise stereochemical orientation of the molecules inside the stack strongly influences the observed optical properties. These calculations point to a structure with alternating twist angles along the stack, suggesting a different orientation of neighboring molecules. This study is the first step to systematically investigate the optical properties of chlorophyll aggregates, to unveil the supramolecular organization, and to correctly describe the energy transport processes.