Future Trends in Organometallic Chemistry: Organometallic Approaches to Water Splitting

Advances in the field of organometallic chemistry have historically been driven by the imperatives of the petrochemical industry. Catalytic manipulation of C−H and C−C bonds is now at an advanced stage of sophistication, although significant opportunities continue to exist in this aspect of organometallic chemistry. However, application of the formidable toolbox of organometallic chemistry—developed in the context of hydrocarbon chemistry—to the sustainable production of environmentally benign solar fuels is a research problem that humanity needs organometallic chemists to tackle. Organometallic approaches to water splitting driven by sunlight will constitute a growing area of focus in the coming years.