Functional molecular models of photosynthesis.

This perspective focuses on functional models of photosynthesis to achieve molecular photocatalytic systems that mimic photosystems I and II (PSI and PSII). A long-lived and high-energy electron-transfer state of 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium ion (Acr-Mes) has been attained as a simple and useful model of the photosynthetic reaction center. Acr-Mes has been used as an effective photoredox catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and regioselective reduction of NAD(P) from plastoquinone analogs as a molecular functional model of PSI. A functional molecular model system to mimic the function of PSII has also been developed to oxidize water by plastoquinone analogs to produce O and plastoquinol analogs. The PSI molecular models have finally been integrated with the PSII molecular models to achieve production of a solar fuel (hydrogen) and NAD(P)H and its analogs from water by use of solar energy as a molecular artificial photosynthesis.