Metallo-porphyrins: key active players in molecular artificial photosynthesis and homogeneous photocatalytic hydrogen production

Contemporary society demands innovative answers to the environmental and energetic issue. A remarkably promising and widely discussed route to achieve this intent is based on artificial photosynthesis, i.e. the conversion of light into fuels by molecules that mimic the natural photosystems. The main aim of this thesis is the design, synthesis and characterization of new metal-chromophore supramolecular conjugates for photocatalytic applications, with specific focus on the homogeneous generation of molecular hydrogen. Particular attention was given to water soluble noble-metal-free systems, in order to meet both environment and cost requirements. Herein are described manifold applications of metallo-porphyrins for hydrogen photoreduction: as photosensitizer units in multi-component photoactive systems, as chromophores in antenna systems, and as catalysts, while offering at the same time a variety of structural handles for the assembling of the active partners.