Photoredox capacity expanded by the Cu site of CuFe-Mabiq

Abstract

The monometallic Fe-Mabiq and bimetallic CuFe-Mabiq photoredox catalysts feature similar optical spectra and short excited-state lifetimes. Nevertheless, they exhibit markedly different photochemistry. Photoreduction proceeds significantly faster for the bimetallic complex, and uniquely generates the three-electron reduced form. These characteristics underpin the self-sensitized photocatalytic behaviour of the bimetallic complex.