Efficient charge transport in DNA diblock oligomers

J Am Chem Soc. 2009 Jul 22;131(28):9722-7. doi: 10.1021/ja9015217.

Abstract

The realization of highly efficient photoinduced charge separation across the pi-stacked base pairs in duplex DNA remains elusive. The low efficiencies (<5%) typically observed for charge separation over a dozen or more base pairs are a consequence of slow charge transport and rapid charge recombination. We report here a significant (5-fold or greater) enhancement in the efficiency of charge separation in diblock purine oligomers consisting of two or three adenines followed by several guanines, when compared to oligomers consisting of a single purine or alternating base sequences. This approach to wire-like behavior is attributed to both slower charge recombination and faster charge transport once the charge reaches the G-block in these diblock systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Base Pairing
  • Base Sequence
  • Circular Dichroism
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / genetics
  • Electron Transport
  • Inverted Repeat Sequences
  • Kinetics
  • Phenothiazines / chemistry
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Purine Nucleotides / chemistry
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Substances

  • Phenothiazines
  • Purine Nucleotides
  • DNA
  • phenothiazine