Ultrafast laser spectroscopy of photochemical dynamics in solution.

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy techniques will be used to study excited state photodynamics of organic chromophores in solution, in addition to their excited-state electron transfer reactions with electron donors and acceptors. The effects of chemical environment on molecular dynamics will be examined quantitatively including solute - solvent and solute - solute interactions. Extension to model biological environments is also envisaged. Interpretation of the data will use computational calculations of the properties of the electronically excited states and non-adiabatic pathways, and models for electron transfer reactions based on Marcus theory. The outcomes will have applications in the development of new photoredox catalysts for use in chemical and polymer synthesis, and in understanding light-activated processes in biology.