In this review, photoinduced electron transfer processes in specifically designed assembled architectures have been discussed in the light of recent results reported from our laboratories. A convenient and useful way to study these systems is described to understand the rules that drive a light-induced charge-separated states and its subsequent decay to the ground state, also with the aim of offering a tutorial for young researchers. Assembled systems of covalent or supramolecular nature have been presented, and some functional multicomponent systems for the conversion of light energy into chemical energy have been discussed.

In this review, photoinduced electron transfer processes in specifically designed assembled ar-chitectures have been investigated on the basis of recent results reported from our laboratories. A convenient and useful way to study these kinds of systems has been described in order to under-stand the rules that drive to a light induced charge separation and its subsequent decay to the ground state, also with the aim of offering a tutorial for young researchers. Assembled systems of covalent or supramolecular nature have been presented and some functional multicomponent systems for the conversion of light energy into chemical energy have been discussed.

The developments made towards increasingly photoactive copper(I) complexes has led to their use in many applications involving light, in particular light emission or photocatalytic activities. Herein, we describe an unprecedented in-depth study of the photophysical properties of two of the most used copper(I) photosensitizers, [Cu(bcp)(Xantphos)]+ and [Cu(bcp)(DPEphos)]+ (bcp = bathocuproine, Xantphos = 4,5-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene, DPEphos = Bis[(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether). This study combines traditional spectroscopic techniques with state-of-the-art femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption and fluorescence up-conversion spectroscopy and is further supported by quantum-chemical calculations. This combined analysis hints at the presence of a low-lying ligand-centered dark triplet state which plays a crucial role by acting as a reservoir for the excited hetereloptic copper(I) complexes.