title: Substitution-controlled excited state processes in heteroleptic copper(I) photosensitizers used in hydrogen evolving systems.
abstract: Four different heteroleptic [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]PF6 complexes, which combine classical bidentate diimine ligands and sterically demanding diphosphine ligands, are studied by a combination of ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. The light-induced excited state processes, accompanied by a structural change, are discussed with respect to the application of these complexes as a new class of noble-metal-free photosensitizers in proton reducing systems. In particular, the influence of different substituents in the ligand backbone on the photophysical properties is highlighted.
authors.affiliation: University of Rostock, Institute of Physics, Universitätsplatz 3, 18055 Rostock (Germany). stefanie.tschierlei@uni-rostock.de.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tschierlei
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karnahl
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rockstroh
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Junge
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beller
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lochbrunner
keywords: copper; photophysics; structure-activity relationships; substituent effect; time-resolved spectroscopy