C07 Controlling the reactivity of photocatalytic hydride species (Schneider, Schwarzer)

In this project, we will examine the reactivity of transition metal hydride photocatalysts to control their selectivity in photodriven multielectron/proton transformations of small molecules, e.g., CO2. The key elementary reaction step from thermalized excited states will be studied using steady-state and time-resolved, ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy, including for the first time femtosecond mid-infrared spectroscopy. Free energy relationships for photodriven proton coupled electron transfer will afford the derivation of structure-reactivity relationships and the prediction of the selectivity of solar energy conversion processes, such as CO2 reduction.