Cover Feature: Plugging the 3MC Sink in RuII‐Based Photocatalysts (ChemCatChem 4/2023)

Abstract

The Cover Feature shows a representation of a multi-step electron transfer process in a hydrogen generating, RuII intramolecular photocatalyst. A prominent deactivation pathway can occur via 3MC state population on the photocentre, resulting in undesired charge recombination. In their Research Article, S. Kupfer and co-workers use quantum chemical methods to demonstrate that coordination of biimidazole based co-ligands around the RuII photocentre centre can direct the initial photoexcitation exclusively towards the catalytic bridge. Furthermore, in the triplet manifold, 3MC population from the 3MLCT state is also reduced. These ligand motifs thereby provide a potential means to control initial photoexcitation and to reduce a possible charge-recombination pathway in photoactive transition metal complexes. More information can be found in the Research Article by S. Kupfer and co-workers.