Many systems for light harvesting use a sensitiser dye which absorbs light energy and then either transfers the energy to a metal catalyst (e.g. hydrogen production from water) or transfers an electron to a semiconductor (e.g. dye sensitised solar cells). The key to an efficient process is a good connection between the sensitiser and the acceptor. We have been investigating the use of highly fluorescent BODIPY dyes as sensitisers and have developed new chemistry for introducing linking groups directly to the BODIPY boron. This project will investigate the synthesis of BODIPY pyrazole and cobaloxime complexes and their use as sensitizers.

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