Synthesis of pyropheophytin-anthraquinone linked molecules as models for the study of photoinduced electron transfer

The first synthesis of pyropheophytin-anthraquinone, compounds with the quinone with the quinoine covalently linked to the P4 allylic position of the phytyl chain is described. The results of preliminary conformational studies are reported for the two P4 stereoisomers obtained. These results suggest differences in die orientation of the anthraquinonyl-phytyl moiety relative to the phorbin macrocycle in the isomers.