Recent progresses in molecular-based artificial photosynthesis

Abstract

Bio-inspired artificial photosynthesis aims to produce high-energy content chemicals from raw materials using solar energy and molecular components. Key molecular components include antenna, reaction centers, and catalysts. Recent results indicate the convenient use of: (i) suitable arrangements of several mononuclear species to obtain highly efficient catalysts for water oxidation, (ii) aromatics as components in ethylene-based bridging ligands connecting photosensitizer and catalyst subunits in supramolecular photocatalysts for CO 2 reduction, so removing some limitation to suitable bridging ligand design, and (iii) photosensitizers based on earth-abundant metal complexes as photosensitizers in multicomponent schemes. • ·Structural organization of several single-site water oxidation catalysts can improve the efficiency of the process. • Bridges containing aromatics can be efficiently used as spacers for supramolecular photocatalysts for CO 2 reduction. • Earth-abundant transition metal complexes can exhibit relatively long-lived emission at room temperature in fluid solution.