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The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis

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The light reactions of photosynthesis assume a linear flow of electrons from water to NADP+. During this process, light energy drives the splitting of water molecules to produce oxygen. However, oxidation of water molecules is a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction and requires a strong oxidizing agent. This is accomplished by the first product of light reactions: oxidized P680 (or P680+), the most powerful oxidizing agent known in biology. The oxidized P680 that acquires an electron from the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions

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Visible light-driven electron transfer and hydrogen generation catalyzed by bioinspired [2Fe2S] complexes.

Yong Na¹, Mei Wang, Jingxi Pan

¹State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, DUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular Devices, Dalian University of Technology, 116012 Dalian, China.

Inorganic Chemistry

|March 13, 2008

Summary

Researchers developed novel diiron complexes with low reduction potentials. These complexes, when paired with a ruthenium catalyst and ascorbic acid, efficiently produce hydrogen gas using visible light.

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Area of Science:

Inorganic Chemistry
Photochemistry
Catalysis

Background:

Diiron complexes are crucial in biomimetic chemistry and catalysis.
Developing efficient systems for visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution is a key challenge in renewable energy research.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize and characterize novel diiron complexes with tunable electronic properties.
To investigate the potential of these complexes as catalysts for visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution.

Main Methods:

Synthesis and characterization of diiron complexes [{ (mu-SCH2)2NCH2C6H5 }{Fe(CO)2L(1)}{Fe(CO)2L(2)}].
Electrochemical studies to determine reduction potentials.
Photocatalytic experiments using a three-component system (ruthenium complex, diiron complex, ascorbic acid) under visible light irradiation.
Laser flash photolysis to study electron transfer dynamics.

Main Results:

Novel diiron complexes with the lowest reduction potentials for mono- and double-CO-displaced systems were prepared.
Visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution was successfully demonstrated using a three-component system.
Electron transfer from photogenerated ruthenium complex to diiron complexes was confirmed.
Significant turnover numbers for hydrogen evolution were achieved under optimal conditions.

Conclusions:

The synthesized diiron complexes exhibit promising properties for photocatalytic applications.
The developed three-component system offers an efficient pathway for solar fuel production.
Further optimization could lead to practical applications in artificial photosynthesis.