Electron-transfer sensitization of H2 oxidation and CO2 reduction catalysts using a single chromophore

Hydrogen atom transfer rates from Tp-containing metal-hydrides to trityl radicals

The H• transfer rate constants for a series of group 6 molybdenum and tungsten pyrazolyl borate complexes are described. The rate constants for these complexes were found to span a range over 1 magnitude. Analysis of the H• transfer rate constants suggests that a combination of steric, electronic, and enthalpic factors are important in these reactions. Further analysis of the components suggests that the generated 17 e– radicals of these complexes are less electrophilic than the more commonly used CpCr(CO)3H complexes. General implications for H• transfer reactions are discussed.

Electronic state dependence of heterogeneous electron transfer: injection from the S1 and S2 state of phlorin into TiO2

Ultrafast time-resolved measurements were performed on a novel pentafluorophenyl substituted 5,5-dimethyl phlorin derivative in solution and when attached to TiO2 colloidal films. The complex excited state dynamics of this porphyrinoid after S1 and S2 excitation was compared at different wavelengths and can be assigned to several subsequent relaxation mechanisms. The difference between excited state dynamics in the free molecule and when attached to an electron accepting electrode was measured. For both cases the dynamics was compared after excitation to the S1 and the S2 state. For the free molecule in solution an intermediate relaxation step was identified and assigned to a buckling motion of the tetrapyrrole ring. On the electrode, heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) times from both states were very similar and around 50 fs. Surprisingly, the large difference in the density of acceptor states that are resonant with the respective donor level of the molecule does not significantly influence HET dynamics. This result indicates that HET proceeds into intermediate transition states that are different from steady state surface states obtained from experiments or computations. The density of states (DOS) of these transient acceptor states appears not to be directly related to the corresponding surface or bulk DOS.