Photochemistry and Photophysics of Coordination Compounds
Photochemistry and Photophysics of Coordination Compounds
Photochemistry and Photophysics of Coordination Compounds
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<strong>Photochemistry</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Photophysics</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Coordination</strong> <strong>Compounds</strong> 33<br />
can be obtained by using an electron relay, again consuming only sunlight<br />
without generation <strong>of</strong> waste products [95].<br />
6<br />
Conclusions<br />
Research on the photochemistry <strong>and</strong> photophysics <strong>of</strong> coordination compounds<br />
has shown an extraordinary quantitative development as well as pr<strong>of</strong>ound<br />
qualitative changes over the years. Studies on intramolecular photoreactions<br />
<strong>and</strong> luminescence properties <strong>of</strong> coordination compounds <strong>of</strong> simple<br />
lig<strong>and</strong>s have been followed by investigations on compounds containing complex<br />
synthetic lig<strong>and</strong>s. Characterization <strong>of</strong> excited-state properties has been<br />
followed by extensive use <strong>of</strong> metal complexes in bimolecular processes. With<br />
the advent <strong>of</strong> supramolecular chemistry, luminescent <strong>and</strong>/or photoredox reactive<br />
metal complexes have been used as essential components in a bottomup<br />
approach to the construction <strong>of</strong> molecular devices <strong>and</strong> machines. In the<br />
next few years research on the photochemistry <strong>and</strong> photophysics <strong>of</strong> coordination<br />
compounds will largely be concentrated on the development <strong>of</strong> supramolecular<br />
systems for solar energy conversion <strong>and</strong> information processes. In this<br />
regard, it should be noted that the photoactive components presently used are<br />
very limited in number. Therefore, there is a need to extend basic research<br />
in order to discover novel mononuclear coordination compounds capable <strong>of</strong><br />
exhibiting long excited-state lifetimes, reversible redox behavior, <strong>and</strong> stability<br />
toward photodecomposition. The large number <strong>of</strong> metals that can be used<br />
<strong>and</strong> the endless number <strong>of</strong> lig<strong>and</strong>s that can be designed <strong>and</strong> synthesized open<br />
an ample horizon to these studies, as illustrated in the other chapters in this<br />
volume.<br />
Acknowledgements We acknowledge MIUR (PRIN projects no. 2006034123 & 2006030320),<br />
the University <strong>of</strong> Bologna <strong>and</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Messina for financial support.<br />
References<br />
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