Life on earth depends on the absorption and conversion of solar energy into chemical bonds, i.e. photosynthesis. In this process, sun light is employed to oxidize water into oxygen and reducing equivalents used to produce fuels. In artificial photosynthesis, the goal is to develop relatively simple systems able to mimic photosynthetic organisms and promote solar-to-chemical conversion. The aim of the present review was to describe recent advances in the application of coordination compounds as catalysts in some key reactions for artificial photosynthesis, such as water splitting and CO2 reduction.
solar fuels; artificial photosynthesis; coordination chemistry; photochemistry
