Lead-Halide Perovskites for Photocatalytic C-C bond Formation
Jan. 2, 2019
The as-prepared perovskite nanocrystals are effective in photocatalysis with a turnover number (TON) of over 52,000 for a-alkylation, three orders of magnitude higher than precious Ir or Ru catalysts.
Scientific Achievement
Here we demonstrate that readily prepared suspensions of APbBr3 (A = Cs or methylammonium [MA]) type perovskite colloids (ca. 2-100 nm) can selectively photocatalyze carbon-carbon bond formation reactions, i.e., a-alkylations. We demonstrate α-alkylation of aldehydes with a TON of over 52,000 under visible light illumination.
Significance and Impact
Carbon-carbon (C-C) bond formation is one of the most fundamental transformations in organic synthesis. Nature is capable of storing solar energy in chemical bonds via photosynthesis. A fundamental aim is the development of new modes of small molecule activation via cheap, effective and easy-to-process catalytic systems. Hybrid organic/inorganic perovskites are revolutionizing photovoltaic research and are now impacting other research fields, here we explore their use in photocatalysis.
Research Details
- One pot synthesis is developed that can perform alkylation reactions under mild reaction conditions.
- The selectivity of the reaction was explored and under slight changes in reaction conditions, we can selectively produce3a, 4a,or 5a. See figures.
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b08720
Related People
Matthew Beard
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Yong Yan
San Diego State University
![A beaker labeled “Mixing perovskite starting materials” with an arrow labeled “Stirring” pointing to another beaker labeled “Adding organic substrates” with an arrow labeled Blue LED pointing to another beaker. Also, illustrations of molecules labeled “Product.”](/images/choiselibraries/research-highlights/lead-halide-perovskites-photocatalytic-c-c-bond-formation-1.png?sfvrsn=7e995b57_1)
The one-pot reaction demonstration of the photocatalytic properties of perovskite NCs.
![Illustrations of molecules](/images/choiselibraries/research-highlights/lead-halide-perovskites-photocatalytic-c-c-bond-formation-2.png?sfvrsn=bfd42e63_1)
Slight changes to the reaction conditions results in a broad scope of photocatalytic reductive dehalogenation, sp3-C couplings, and α-alkylation of aldehydes.