Photoinduced hydrogen production from aqueous solution - Frontiers and new trends

Different possible pathways for the photochemical conversion of light energy, based on light induced electron transfer are described. Selective catalysis with homogeneous H-2 catalysts are proposed as improvement for the light induced hydrogen formation. Two novel Co(II)polypyridinium (Co(pdt)(3)(2+) and Co(tpp)(2)(2+)) catalysts have been developed and were successfully used as homogeneous catalysts for light induced hydrogen production with Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) as a photosensitizer and ascorbic acid as a sacrificial electron donor. Initial quantum yields (phi(1/2H2)) were up to 20% for Co(pdt)(3)(2+). (C) 1997 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. All rights reserved.