Alternatively, using CDFT calculations we probed charge separation via iET from the excited states of CTF-moiety to the [Ru(tda)(py)2] fragment leading to formation of 1 [CTF •--Ru III ] (E = 2.66 eV) and 3 [CTF •--Ru III ] (E = 2.99 eV, Fig. left) which can be quenched similarly by SEA to generate [CTF-Ru III ] + . Theoretical modeling of the dynamics of these alternative pathways will be necessary to probe the kinetics, but this is beyond the scope of the current study. We also checked the potential oxidation pathway to generate [CTF •+ -Ru II ] + and found it to be less favorable by 1.16 eV compared to [CTF-Ru III ] + (Fig. ). More interestingly it remains unfavorable by at least 0.22 eV even in the case of [CTF •+ -Ru IV O] + vs. [CTF-Ru V O] + (Fig. ). It is important to realize here that the higher the oxidation state of the Ru center the larger will be the thermodynamic driving force for the recombination process. Thus, the recombination reaction of [CTF •--Ru V =O] + to [CTF-Ru IV =O] will be the most strongly competing reaction to SEA, for the overall O2 evolution reaction. The independence of the oxygen generated from the ionic strength is also in agreement with this fast iET, indicating that ion pairs do not play a major role here as opposed to all the systems previously described in the literature.