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Efficient utilization of sunlight in photocatalysis is widely recognized as a promising solution for addressing the growing energy demand and environmental issues resulting from fossil fuel consumption. Recently, there have been significant developments in various near‐infrared (NIR) light‐harvesting systems for artificial photosynthesis and photocatalytic environmental remediation. This review provides an overview of the most recent advancements in the utilization of NIR light through the creation of novel nanostructured materials and molecular photosensitizers, as well as modulating strategies to enhance the photocatalytic processes. A special focus is given to the emerging two‐photon excitation NIR photocatalysis. The unique features and limitations of different systems are critically evaluated. In particular, it highlights the advantages of utilizing NIR light and two‐photon excitation compared to UV–visible irradiation and one‐photon excitation. Ongoing challenges and potential solutions for the future exploration of NIR light‐responsive materials are also discussed.

 

Abstract One-photon-absorbing photosensitizers are commonly used in homogeneous photocatalysis which require the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) /visible light to populate the desired excited states with adequate energy and lifetime. Nevertheless, the limited penetration depth and competing absorption by organic substrates of UV/visible light calls upon exploring the utilization of longer-wavelength irradiation, such as near-infrared light (λ irr  > 700 nm). Despite being found applications in photodynamic therapy and bioimaging, two-photon absorption (TPA), the simultaneous absorption of two photons by one molecule, has been rarely explored in homogeneous photocatalysis. Herein, we report a group of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes possessing TPA capability that can drive a variety of organic transformations upon irradiation with 740 nm light. We demonstrate that these TPA ruthenium complexes can operate in an analogous manner as one-photon-absorbing photosensitizers for both energy-transfer and photoredox reactions, as well as function in concert with a transition metal co-catalyst for metallaphotoredox C–C coupling reactions. 

Visible‐light‐driven C−C bond formation utilizing ketyl radical (C_ketyl) species has attracted increasing attention recently, as it provides a direct route for the synthesis of complex molecules. However, the most‐developed homogeneous photocatalytic systems for the generation and utilization of ketyl radicals usually entail noble metal‐based (e. g., Ru and Ir) photosensitizers, which suffer from not only high cost but also potential degradation and hence pose challenges in product separation and purification. In contrast, readily accessible, inexpensive, and recyclable semiconductors represent a class of attractive and alternative photocatalysts but remain much less explored for photocatalytic ketyl radical initiated C−C bond formation. This work demonstrates that a wide range of industrially important chemicals, including substituted chromanes and tertiary alcohols, can be produced on ZnIn₂S₄under visible light irradiation through intramolecular cyclization (C_ketyl−C_sp2) and intermolecular cross‐coupling (C_ketyl−C_sp3) reactions, respectively, using ketyl radicals. A suite of experimental studies aided by computational investigation were carried out to shed light on the mechanistic insights of these two types of ketyl radical initiated C−C coupling reactions on ZnIn₂S₄.

 

Deuterium (D) labeling is of great value in organic synthesis, pharmaceutical industry, and materials science. However, the state‐of‐the‐art deuteration methods generally require noble metal catalysts, expensive deuterium sources, or harsh reaction conditions. Herein, noble metal‐free and ultrathin ZnIn₂S₄(ZIS) is reported as an effective photocatalyst for visible light‐driven reductive deuteration of carbonyls to produce deuterated alcohols using heavy water (D₂O) as the sole deuterium source. Defective two‐dimensional ZIS nanosheets (D‐ZIS) are prepared in a surfactant assisted bottom‐up route exhibited much enhanced performance than the pristine ZIS counterpart. A systematic study is carried out to elucidate the contributing factors and it is found that the in situ surfactant modification enabled D‐ZIS to expose more defect sites for charge carrier separation and active D‐species generation, as well as high specific surface area, all of which are beneficial for the desirable deuteration reaction. This work highlights the great potential in developing low‐cost semiconductor‐based photocatalysts for organic deuteration in D₂O, circumventing expensive deuterium reagents and harsh conditions.