Photochemistry and Photocatalytic Properties of Visible Light Absorbing Rhenium(I) Diimine Complexes

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is kinetically inert and thermodynamically more stable than other organic compounds in the reduced forms, much energy is required for the chemical transformation of CO2. Thus, for the sustainability of CO2 reduction processes, the use of renewable energy source, in particular solar energy, is essential. Moreover, the effective photo-induced transformations of CO2 also allow the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) as an economical and sustainable carbon source.The proposed project focuses on the design and synthesis of new classes of readily tunable Re-based photocatalysts capable of catalyzing the visible-light induced CO2 reduction process. On the other hand, conversion of the sacrificial electron donor in the photocatalytic cycles to useful organic substances will also be investigated. In short, this project should contribute to the design of the photocatalytic CO2 reduction. It should also initiate a new direction towards transformation of sacrificial electron donor to useful substances.