Theoretical modelling of photoactive molecular systems:: insights using the Density Functional Theory

An account of the performance of a modem and efficient approach to Density Functional Theory (DFT) for the prediction of the photophysical behavior of a series of Ru(II) and Os(II) complexes is given. The time-dependent-DFT method was used to interpret their electronic spectra. Two different types of compounds have been analyzed: (1) a complex undergoing a light induced isomerization of one of its coordination bonds; (2) an inorganic dyads expected to undergo intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer to form a charge separated (CS) sate. Besides the noticeable quantitative agreement between computed and experimental absorption spectra, our results allow to clarify, by first principles, both the nature of the excited states and the photochemical behavior of these complex systems, thus underlying the predictive character of the theoretical approach.