One of three CSI 2025 poster prices goes to CataLight

By: Linda Zedler / Leibniz-IPHT Jena

I had the great pleasure of attending the XLIV Colloquium Spectroscopicum InternationaleExternal link (CSI 2025), which took place from July 27 to 31, 2025, in Ulm – and I am thrilled!

The conference offered a wide-ranging program, exciting talks (highlight: Nobel Prize laureate Prof. Ferenc Krausz), inspiring poster sessions, and a beautiful location right on the Danube. The variety of topics, from basic research to high-tech applications in spectroscopy, was impressive. I found the open, motivating atmosphere and the intensive exchange with researchers from all over the world particularly inspiring.

Light-induced multi-electron charge-transfer in reductive heterodinuclear photocatalysts with soft matter protection motifs.

Together with partners from Ulm we are combining light-powered and catalytic functions in one molecule. Special linkers with alkynes help transfer energy directly and efficiently but degrade under light exposure. To protect them, researchers built a “molecular cage” around the catalyst, shielding it from damage and guiding subtrates for catalysis into place. This design makes the reaction last longer and more efficiently. Here at ipht we spectroscopically characterize the light-induced multi-electron charge transfer in those novel supramolecular rotaxane catalysts.