Homogeneous photocatalysis has been largely dominated by complexes based on noble metals, which have strong limitations,
particularly in terms of availability, price and applications. Efficient and robust copper-based photocatalysts are yet to be discovered
and this is the heart of the project. New copper complexes (first main objective of the project) and photocatalytic processes using
these complexes (second main objective of the project) are developed following a global, integrated and systematic approach,
involving catalysis, inorganic/organic chemistry, photochemistry, photophysical and mechanistic studies, and with particular attention
to their generality and applicability.
1H, 13C, 31P … NMR measurements in 1 or 2 dimensions are used to characterize synthetic products, including new ligands and
the corresponding copper complexes. Very specific NMR measurement protocols, with laser illumination of the sample within the
superconducting magnet of the spectrometer via an optical fiber, must be developed and validated to study the photoreactions of the
complexes, identify the reaction intermediates and thus elucidate the catalytic cycle(s). The radical intermediates will be
characterized by Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) measurements, also under laser illumination.