Splitting of alkyl carbonates photocatalyzed by copper complexes as a model for an artificial photosynthesis

(1)COOR2+2H2O+2CuITp*→CO+Tp*CuIIμ−OH2CuIITp*+2ROH(2)Tp*CuIIμ−OH2CuIITp*→2CuITp*+H2O2O2. It is suggested that this scheme provides a good model for the cleavage of CO2 to CO and oxygen representing a rather simple type of artificial photosynthesis. Photoreactions 1 and 2 correspond to photosystems I and II of natural photosynthesis.