Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have attracted considerable interest due to their relatively high solar energy conversion efficiency and low cost. 1–3 In the design and synthesis of dyes, in particular organic dyes with Donor–π Spacer–Acceptor (D–π–A) structures among others, two problems remain challenging: new chromophores for sensitization in the near infrared (NIR) region, and new anchoring groups non-coupled to the acceptor parts of the dye ...