Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
10:21
Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
Light-driven hydrogen production catalysed by transition metal complexes in homogeneous systems
Mei Wang1, Yong Na, Mikhail Gorlov
1State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, DUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular Devices, Dalian University of Technology (DUT), 116012, Dalian, China.
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
|August 13, 2009
Summary
This review explores metal-based molecular catalysts for efficient hydrogen production from water using light. Homogeneous systems offer tunable properties and enhanced electron transfer for advanced photocatalysis.
Area of Science:
- Photocatalysis
- Hydrogen production
- Molecular catalysis
Background:
- Heterogeneous catalytic systems for water splitting have been studied for decades.
- Homogeneous photocatalysts offer molecular-level understanding and tunability.
- Covalent bonding of catalysts to photosensitizers improves electron transfer efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in metal-based molecular catalysts for photoinduced hydrogen evolution.
- To highlight progress in synthesis, properties, and applications of homogeneous photocatalysts.
- To discuss the potential of molecular devices for water splitting.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of metal-based molecular catalysts.
- Analysis of synthesis strategies for homogeneous photocatalysts.
- Evaluation of photochemical properties and catalytic performance.
Main Results:
- Summary of recent progress in metal-based molecular catalysts.
- Discussion of catalysts' tunable chemical and photochemical properties.
- Highlighting efficient electron transfer in covalently linked systems.
Conclusions:
- Metal-based molecular catalysts in homogeneous systems show great promise for efficient hydrogen production.
- Further research into synthesis and application can lead to improved water-splitting devices.
- Homogeneous photocatalysis offers a pathway to precisely engineered catalytic systems.
Related Concept Videos
02:13Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called catalytic hydrogenation.
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
02:17Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
01:22Heterogeneous Catalysis
Heterogeneous catalysis involves a catalyst in a different phase from the reactants. It is a process where the catalyst and the reactants are in distinct phases, typically solid and gas or liquid.Most heterogeneous catalysts are metals, metal oxides, or acids. The list includes transition metals like iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), tungsten (W), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu). These metals possess partially vacant d orbitals that...
01:27Catalysis
Catalysis influences the rate of chemical reactions by providing an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy. A catalyst speeds up a reaction, but it is not consumed during the process. The fundamental principle of catalysis is the ability of a catalyst to alter the reaction mechanism, often introducing a more efficient pathway than the uncatalyzed process.In a catalyzed reaction, the catalyst participates directly in the reaction mechanism. It interacts with reactants to form...
02:50Catalysis
The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.
02:24Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Introduction
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.