The quest to simulate excited-state dynamics of transition metal complexes

Abstract

This Perspective describes current computational efforts in the field of simulating photodynamics of transition metal complexes. We present the typical workflows and feature the strengths and limitations of the different contemporary approaches. From electronic structure methods suitable to describe transition metal complexes to approaches able to simulate their nuclear dynamics under the effect of light, we lay particular attention to build a bridge between theory and experiment by critically discussing the different models commonly adopted in the interpretation of spectroscopic experiments and the simulation of particular observables. Thereby, we review all the studies of excited state dynamics on transition metal complexes, both in gas phase and in solution from reduced to full dimensionality