Qing-Yuan Meng

A Cascade Cross-Coupling Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by Visible Light Catalysis

Cross-dehydrogenative-coupling reaction has long been recognized as a powerful tool to form a C-C bond directly from two different C-H bonds. Most current processes are performed by making use of stoichiometric amounts of oxidizing agents. We describe here a new type of reaction, namely cross-coupling hydrogen evolution (CCHE), with no use of any sacrificial oxidants, and only hydrogen (H2) is generated as a side product. By combining eosin Y and a graphene-supported RuO2 nanocomposite (G-RuO2) as a photosensitizer and a catalyst, the desired cross-coupling products and H2 are achieved in quantitative yields under visible light irradiation at room temperature.

External Oxidant-Free Oxidative Cross-Coupling: A Photoredox Cobalt-Catalyzed Aromatic C–H Thiolation for Constructing C–S Bonds

An external oxidant-free oxidative coupling for aromatic C-H thiolation by visible-light photoredox cobalt-catalysis has been developed. Various substrates could afford benzothiazoles in good to excellent yields, and only H2 is generated as a side product. When catalytic TBAOH was used as the base, not only 2-aryl but also 2-alkylbenzothiazoles could be obtained through this novel dehydrogenative coupling reaction. This method could be scaled up and applied to the synthesis of biologically active molecules bearing benzothiazole structural scaffolds (potent antitumor agents). Furthermore, the unexpected oxidation byproduct amides, which are often generated in oxidative cyclization of thiobenzanilides, can be completely avoided. Mechanistic studies showed that the H2 originates from the substrates. The kinetic studies indicate that the interaction between the cobalt catalyst and proton might be involved in the rate-limiting process.

A Highly Efficient and Selective Aerobic Cross‐Dehydrogenative‐Coupling Reaction Photocatalyzed by a Platinum(II) Terpyridyl Complex

Thanks to the superior redox potential of platinum(II) complex compared with that of Ru(bpy)3(2+) in the excited state, an efficient and selective visible-light-induced CDC reaction has been developed by using a catalytic amount (0.25 %) of 1. With the aid of FeSO4 (2 equiv), the corresponding amide could not be detected under visible-light irradiation (λ=450 nm), but the desired cross-coupling product was exclusively obtained under ambient air conditions. A spectroscopic study and product analysis revealed that the CDC reaction is initiated by photoinduced electron-transfer from N-phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline to the complex. An EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) experiment provides direct evidence on the generation of superoxide radical anion (O2(-·)) rather than singlet oxygen ((1)O2) under irradiation of the reaction system, in contrast to that reported in the literature. Combined, the photoinduced electron-transfer and subsequent formation of superoxide radical anion (O2(-·)) results in a clean and facile transformation.

Mechanistic Insights into the Interface‐Directed Transformation of Thiols into Disulfides and Molecular Hydrogen by Visible‐Light Irradiation of Quantum Dots

Quantum dots (QDs) offer new and versatile ways to harvest light energy. However, there are few examples involving the utilization of QDs in organic synthesis. Visible-light irradiation of CdSe QDs was found to result in virtually quantitative coupling of a variety of thiols to give disulfides and H2 without the need for sacrificial reagents or external oxidants. The addition of small amounts of nickel(II) salts dramatically improved the efficiency and conversion through facilitating the formation of hydrogen atoms, thereby leading to faster regeneration of the ground-state QDs. Mechanistic studies reveal that the coupling reaction occurs on the QD surfaces rather than in solution and offer a blueprint for how these QDs may be used in other photocatalytic applications. Because no sacrificial agent or oxidant is necessary and the catalyst is reusable, this method may be useful for the formation of disulfide bonds in proteins as well as in other systems sensitive to the presence of oxidants.

Chitosan confinement enhances hydrogen photogeneration from a mimic of the diiron subsite of [FeFe]-hydrogenase

Nature has created [FeFe]-hydrogenase enzyme as a hydrogen-forming catalyst with a high turnover rate. However, it does not meet the demands of economically usable catalytic agents because of its limited stability and the cost of its production and purification. Synthetic chemistry has allowed the preparation of remarkably close mimics of [FeFe]-hydrogenase but so far failed to reproduce its catalytic activity. Most models of the active site represent mimics of the inorganic cofactor only, and the enzyme-like reaction that proceeds within restricted environments is less well understood. Here we report that chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, improves the efficiency and durability of a typical mimic of the diiron subsite of [FeFe]-hydrogenase for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The turnover number of the self-assembling system increases ~4,000-fold compared with the same system in the absence of chitosan. Such significant improvements to the activity and stability of artificial [FeFe]-hydrogenase-like systems have, to our knowledge, not been reported to date.

An Exceptional Artificial Photocatalyst, Nih‐CdSe/CdS Core/Shell Hybrid, Made In Situ from CdSe Quantum Dots and Nickel Salts for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

A novel hybrid Nih -CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dot is a simple and exceptional artificial photocatalyst for H2 production from 2-propanol aqueous solution. Studies on the nature of the artificial photocatalyst and mechanism for H2 production demonstrate that the synthetic strategy is general and the artificial photocatalyst holds promise for light capture, electron transfer, and catalysis at the surface of the Nih -CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots, leading to a self-healing system for H2 evolution in harmony.

Cross-coupling hydrogen evolution reaction in homogeneous solution without noble metals.

A highly efficient noble-metal-free homogeneous system for a cross-coupling hydrogen evolution (CCHE) reaction is developed. With cheap, earth-abundant eosin Y and molecular catalyst Co(dmgH)2Cl2, good to excellent yields for coupling reactions with a variety of isoquinolines and indole substrates and H2 have been achieved without any sacrificial oxidants. Mechanistic insights provide rich information on the effective, clean, and economic CCHE reaction.

Interface-directed assembly of a simple precursor of [FeFe]–H2ase mimics on CdSe QDs for photosynthetic hydrogen evolution in water

To prepare a water-soluble catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution, a simple hydrophobic precursor of [FeFe]–H2ase mimics, Fe2S2(CO)6, has been successfully assembled on the surface of CdSe QDs using an interface-directed approach in aqueous/organic solution. The resulting photocatalyst shows the highest efficiency known to date for H2 evolution with a turnover number (TON) of 8781 vs. Fe2S2(CO)6 and an initial turnover frequency (TOF) of 596 h−1 under visible light irradiation in water.

Phenanthroline-functionalized MCM-41 doped with Europium ions

Abstract Organo-functionalized MCM-41 containing non-covalently linked 1,10-phenanthroline (denoted as Phen-MCM-41) was synthesized by template-directed co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane and the modified phenanthroline (denoted as Phen-Si). XRD, FTIR, UV/VIS spectroscopy as well as luminescence spectroscopy were employed to characterize Phen-MCM-41. No disintegration or loss of the Phen-Si during the solvent extraction procedure could be observed. When monitored by the ligand absorption wavelength (272 nm), the undoped MCM-41 produces a broad band emission centered at 450 nm, whereas europium (III) doped Phen-MCM-41displays the emission of the Eu 3+ , i.e., 5 D 0 → 7 F J ( J =0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transition lines due to the energy transfer from the ligands to Eu 3+ as well as a broad band emission centered at 442 nm.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling Reaction in Water by Visible Light

By using catalytic amount of CoCl2 with dmgH (dimethylglyoxime) as ligand to form a photosensitizer in situ, a highly selective, efficient, and environmentally benign visible light mediated cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction has been developed in aqueous medium. The desired cross-coupling C-C bonds that involve Csp3 with Csp, Csp2, and Csp3, respectively, were achieved exclusively in high yields without formation of any other byproduct.