This tutorial review surveys and highlights the integration of different molecular wires—in combination with chromophores that exhibit (i) significant absorption cross section throughout the visible part of the solar spectrum and (ii) good electron donating power—into novel electron donor–acceptor conjugates. The focus is predominantly on charge transfer and charge transport features of the most promising systems.

Fullerene hexakis-adducts bearing 12 peripheral carbohydrate moieties have been prepared by grafting sugar derivatives onto the fullerene core through the copper mediated Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides and alkynes.