Chemistry Department Seminar

Artificial photosynthesis by visible light is one of the most desirable chemical systems to be realized. The possibility, however, still remains questionable, in spite of enormous efforts over the past several decades, since the most important problem of how to utilize the water molecule as an electron donor has not yet been fully solved. Oxidation of water, as an ideal electron donor, should be one of the central subjects of study. Among various approaches for the oxidation of water upon light irradiation, i.e., by 1) a one-electron process, 2) a two-electron one, 3) or a multi-electron one, we have recently focused our attention on the two-electron oxidation of water sensitized by metalloporphyrins. In this seminar, chemical approach to artificial photosynthesis through the two electron activation of water by one photon excitation will be introduced.