Copper in Photocatalysis

Dehalogenation reaction photocatalyzed by homoleptic copper(i) complexes associated with strongly reductive sacrificial donors

To perform challenging reduction reactions with light at low cost and low toxicity, we use for the first time a reductive quenching cycle with a simple, strongly colored homoleptic copper(i) complex [Cu(dipp)2]+ (dipp = 2,9-diisopropyl-1,10-phen).

Reactivity and Mechanism of Photo- and Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by a Diimine Copper(I) Complex

The tetrahedral copper(I) diimine complex [Cu(pq)2]BF4 displays high photocatalytic activity for the H2 evolution reaction with a turnover number of 3564, thus representing the first type of a Cu(I) quinoxaline complex capable of catalyzing proton reduction. Electrochemical experiments indicate that molecular mechanisms prevail and DFT calculations provide in-depth insight into the catalytic pathway, suggesting that the coordinating nitrogens play crucial roles in proton exchange and hydrogen formation.

Decarboxylative C-H Alkylation of Heteroarene N-Oxides by Visible Light/Copper Catalysis

This paper reports a highly site-selective alkylation of heteroarene N-oxides using hypervalent iodine(III) carboxylates to serve as an alkylating agent in the presence of a cheap copper catalyst under visible light conditions. This mild method proceeds at room temperature in an air atmosphere and can withstand various heteroarene N-oxides as well as various primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl carboxylic acids. It also provides a practical method for enabling the rapid conversion of commercially available raw materials into medically relevant "drug-like" molecules.

Multidentate Phenanthroline Ligands Containing Additional Donor Moieties and Their Resulting Cu(I) and Ru(II) Photosensitizers: A Comparative Study

To bind or not to bind: Driven by the motivation to increase the (photo)stability of traditional Cu(I) photosensitizers, multidentate diimine ligands, which contain two additional donor sites, were designed. To this end, a systematic series of four 1,10-phenanthroline ligands with either OR or SR (R = ⁱPr or Ph) donor groups at the 2 and 9 positions and their resulting hetero- and homoleptic Cu(I) complexes were prepared. In addition, the related Ru(II) complexes were also synthesized to study the effect of another metal center. In the following, a combination of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis was used to evaluate the impact of the additional donor moieties on the coordination behavior. Most remarkably, for the homoleptic bis(diimine)copper(I) complexes, a pentacoordinated copper center, corresponding to a (4 + 1)-fold coordination mode, was found in the solid state. This additional binding is the first indication that the extra donor might also occupy a free coordination site in the excited-state complex, modifying the nature of the excited states and their respective deactivation processes. Therefore, the electrochemical and photophysical properties of all novel complexes (in total 13) were studied in detail to assess the potential of these photosensitizers for future applications within solar energy conversion schemes. Finally, the photostabilities and a potential degradation mechanism were analyzed for representative samples.

The Different Faces of [Ru(bpy)3Cl2] and fac[Ir(ppy)3] Photocatalysts: Redox Potential Controlled Synthesis of Sulfonylated Fluorenes and Pyrroloindoles from Unactivated Olefins and Sulfonyl Chlorides

A cascade alkene sulfonylation that simultaneously forges C-S and C-C bonds is a highly efficient and powerful approach for directly accessing structurally diverse sulfonylated compounds in a single operation. The reaction was enabled by visible-light-mediated regioselective radical addition of sulfonyl chlorides to 2-arylstyrenes using fac[Ir(ppy)₃] as a photocatalyst, demonstrating its unique role in a photocascade process to execute atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) followed by photocyclization. A new class of sulfonyl-substituted fluorenes and pyrroloindoles, which are useful in the field of photoelectronic materials and medicinal chemistry, was produced in excellent yields by this photocascade reaction. In contrast, the cyclization was interrupted when using the [Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂] catalyst having lower reduction potential, leading only to the formation of a C-S bond and the production of acyclic sulfonylated 2-arylstyrenes under identical reaction conditions. The synthetic utility of the present room-temperature photocatalysis is enhanced by the broad availability of bench-stable sulfonyl chlorides and unactivated olefins, thereby providing a cost-effective and broad-scope protocol.

Evaluating heteroleptic copper(I)-based complexes bearing π-extended diimines in different photocatalytic processes

A series of 12 new copper-based photocatalysts of the type Cu(N^N)(P^P)BF4 were synthesized bearing π-extended diimine ligands. The complexes have red shifted absorptions and larger extinction coefficients than complexes prepared with a parent diimine, dmp. The complexes were evaluated for their ability to promote three different photochemical transformations. Although the complexes were inactive in a reductive PCET process, the complexes afforded good yields in both SET and ET processes. Interestingly, homoleptic copper-complexes derived from the π-extended diimines were significantly more active in SET processes than analogous complexes with simpler diimines.

Recent Advances on Copper-Catalyzed C–C Bond Formation via C–H Functionalization

Reactions that form C–C bonds are at the heart of many important transformations, both in industry and in academia. From the myriad of catalytic approaches to achieve such transformations, those relying on C–H functionalization are gaining increasing interest due to their inherent sustainable nature. In this short review, we showcase the most recent advances in the field of C–C bond formation via C–H functionalization, but focusing only on those methodologies relying on copper catalysts. This coinage metal has gained increased popularity in recent years, not only because it is cheaper and more abundant than precious metals, but also thanks to its rich and versatile chemistry.

1 Introduction

2 Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling under Thermal Conditions

2.1 C(sp3)–C(sp3) Bond Formation

2.2 C(sp3)–C(sp2) Bond Formation

2.3 C(sp2)–C(sp2) Bond Formation

2.4 C(sp3)–C(sp) Bond Formation

3 Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling under Photochemical Conditions

3.1 C(sp3)–C(sp3) Bond Formation

3.2 C(sp3)–C(sp2) and C(sp3)–C(sp) Bond Formation

4 Conclusion and Perspective

Modifying the luminescent properties of a Cu(i) diphosphine complex using ligand-centered reactions in single crystals

Here we report how reactions at a chemically reactive diphosphine shift the long-lived luminescent colour of a crystalline three-coordinate Cu(i) complex from green to blue. The results demonstrate how vapochromism and single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations can be achieved using ligand-centered reactions.

New Photosensitizers Based on Heteroleptic CuI Complexes and CO2 Photocatalytic Reduction with [NiII (cyclam)]Cl2

Earth-abundant metal complexes have been attracting increasing attention in the field of photo(redox)catalysis. In this work, the synthesis and full characterisation of four new heteroleptic CuI complexes are reported, which can work as photosensitizers. The complexes bear a bulky diphosphine (DPEPhos=bis[(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl] ether) and a diimine chelating ligand based on 1-benzyl-4-(quinol-2'yl)-1,2,3-triazole. Their absorption has a relative maximum in the visible-light region, up to 450 nm. Thus, their use in photocatalytic systems for the reduction of CO2 with blue light in combination with the known catalyst [NiII (cyclam)]Cl2 was tested. This system produced CO as the main product through visible light (λ=420 nm) with a TON up to 8 after 4 hours. This value is in line with other photocatalytic systems using the same catalyst. Nevertheless, this system is entirely noble-metal free.

Crystal-to-Crystal Synthesis of Photocatalytic Metal-Organic Frameworks for Visible-Light Reductive Coupling and Mechanistic Investigations

Postmodification of reticular materials with well-defined catalysts is an appealing approach to produce new catalytic functional materials with improved stability and recyclability, but also to study catalysis in confined spaces. A promising strategy to this end is the postfunctionalization of crystalline and robust metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to exploit the potential of crystal-to-crystal transformations for further characterization of the catalysts. In this regard, two new photocatalytic materials, MOF-520-PC1 and MOF-520-PC2, are straightforwardly obtained by the postfunctionalization of MOF-520 with perylene-3-carboxylic acid (PC1) and perylene-3-butyric acid (PC2). The single crystal-to-crystal transformation yielded the X-ray diffraction structure of catalytic MOF-520-PC2. The well-defined disposition of the perylenes inside the MOF served as suitable model systems to gain insights into the photophysical properties and mechanism by combining steady-state, time-resolved, and transient absorption spectroscopy. The resulting materials are active organophotoredox catalysts in the reductive dimerization of aromatic aldehydes, benzophenones, and imines under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, MOF-520-PC2 can be applied for synthesizing gram-scale quantities of products in continuous-flow conditions under steady-state light irradiation. This work provides an alternative approach for the construction of well-defined, metal-free, MOF-based catalysts.

Shining Visible Light on Vinyl Halides: Expanding the Horizons of Photocatalysis

ConspectusOver the past decade, photoredox catalysis has blossomed as a powerful methodology because of its wide applicability in sustainable free-radical-mediated processes, in which light is used as a cleaner energy source to alter the redox properties of organic molecules and to drive unique chemical transformations. Numerous examples of highly selective C-C and C-heteroatom bond formation processes have been achieved this way in an efficient and waste-reducing way. Therein, the activation of widely available organic halides via single-electron reduction has been broadly applied for organic synthesis. However, in comparison with alkyl and aryl halides, the analogous utilization of vinyl halides is less developed, most likely as a consequence of the highly unstable vinyl radicals generated as intermediates along with their strong tendency to abstract hydrogen atoms from a suitable source (e.g., the solvent), resulting in a synthetically less useful reduction.Nevertheless, during the last years, a number of photocatalytic processes involving vinyl halides have been developed, featuring the generation of vinyl radicals, diradicals, or radical cations as the key transient species. Moreover, photoredox processes in which a radical reacts with a vinyl halide or with an in situ-generated vinylmetal halide have been developed. Thus, identifying suitable conditions to generate and manipulate these reactive species has resulted in novel synthetic processes in a controllable manner. Moreover, in view of the great versatility of vinyl halides in palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, their activation by visible light might provide an attractive alternative to such processes, especially when non-noble metals could be used as photoinitiators in the future.In this Account, we discuss the various strategies of photoredox processes involving vinyl halides, classifying the material into four categories: (a) formation of a vinyl radical upon receipt of an electron from the photocatalyst, (b) formation of a radical cation after donation of an electron to the photocatalyst, (c) energy transfer corresponding to diradical formation upon triplet-triplet sensitization, and (d) dual transition metal and photocatalysis employing vinyl halides as precursors. While in the first three approaches the activation of vinyl halides is part of the photochemical step, the fourth one involves the interaction of a photochemically generated radical with a vinylnickel(II) halide obtained in turn by the oxidative addition of nickel(0) to the vinyl halide. Therefore, we highlight these important developments for conceptual comparison to the direct activation of vinyl halides by light, but they are not covered in depth in this Account.

Recent advances in photocatalyzed reactions using well-defined copper(I) complexes

This review summarizes the recent advances in photocatalysis using copper complexes. Their applications in various reactions, such as ATRA, reduction, oxidation, proton-coupled electron transfer, and energy transfer reactions are discussed.

Photoinduced Heterogeneous C-H Arylation by a Reusable Hybrid Copper Catalyst

Heterogeneous copper catalysis enabled photoinduced C-H arylations under exceedingly mild conditions at room temperature. The versatile hybrid copper catalyst provided step-economical access to arylated heteroarenes, terpenes and alkaloid natural products with various aryl halides. The hybrid copper catalyst could be reused without significant loss of catalytic efficacy. Detailed studies in terms of TEM, HRTEM and XPS analysis of the hybrid copper catalyst, among others, supported its outstanding stability and reusability.

Copper(I) Phosphinooxazoline Complexes: Impact of the Ligand Substitution and Steric Demand on the Electrochemical and Photophysical Properties

A series of seven homoleptic Cu^I complexes based on hetero-bidentate P^N ligands was synthesized and comprehensively characterized. In order to study structure-property relationships, the type, size, number and configuration of substituents at the phosphinooxazoline (phox) ligands were systematically varied. To this end, a combination of X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, steady-state absorption and emission spectroscopy, time-resolved emission spectroscopy, quenching experiments and cyclic voltammetry was used to assess the photophysical and electrochemical properties. Furthermore, time-dependent density functional theory calculations were applied to also analyze the excited state structures and characteristics. Surprisingly, a strong dependency on the chirality of the respective P^N ligand was found, whereas the specific kind and size of the different substituents has only a minor impact on the properties in solution. Most importantly, all complexes except C3 are photostable in solution and show fully reversible redox processes. Sacrificial reductants were applied to demonstrate a successful electron transfer upon light irradiation. These properties render this class of photosensitizers as potential candidates for solar energy conversion issues.

C–C and C–X coupling reactions of unactivated alkyl electrophiles using copper catalysis

Copper catalysts enable cross-coupling reactions of unactivated alkyl electrophiles to generate C–C and C–X bonds.

Visible light-induced aerobic oxidative cross-coupling reaction: preparation of α-indolyl glycine derivatives

Rose Bengal, an organic dye, has been used as a photocatalyst in the cross-coupling reaction between glycine derivatives and indoles.

Photocatalyzed allylic derivatization reactions

Catalytic allylation reactions are important methodologies to produce fine chemicals and synthetic building blocks. This review discloses state-of-the-art photocatalyzed allylation methodologies, their reaction mechanisms, and synthetic applications.

Design and application of diimine-based copper(i) complexes in photoredox catalysis

Structurally different bis(imino)copper(i) complexes were prepared in a highly modular manner and utilized as copper-based photocatalysts in the ATRA reactions of styrenes and alkyl halides. The new photocatalysts showed good catalytic activity and ensured efficient chemical transformations.

Homogeneous visible light mediated transition metal catalysis other than Ruthenium and Iridium

The field of photoredox chemistry is dominated by ruthenium- or iridium based metal complexes or organic dyes that are employed as catalysts. Other metal based coordination compounds provide a cost efficient alternative, however, the much shorter excited lifetimes generally observed for such complexes make their application more challenging. Nevertheless, a growing number of successful examples with metal complexes based on chromium, iron, nickel, zirconium, cerium, rhenium, platinum, uranium, and especially on copper exist, which is being reviewed in this chapter.

8-Mercaptoquinoline as a Ligand for Enhancing the Photocatalytic Activity of Pt(II) Coordination Complexes: Reactions and Mechanistic Insights

A family of quinoline-platinum(II) complexes as efficient photocatalysts is presented. Their key characteristic is their easy preparation by coordination of the readily available 8-hydroxy- or 8-thio-quinoline ligands, which are well known for their strong chelating ability to different metal ions. In the different photochemical transformations investigated, such as cross-dehydrogenative coupling, oxidation of arylboronic acids, and asymmetric alkylation of aldehydes, 8-mercaptoquinoline-Pt(II) complex proved to be the most general catalyst. Moreover, quenching experiments showed that, contrary to related methods reported in the literature, these complexes followed an oxidative quenching mechanism in all transformations studied. Besides, simulations performed with high-level ab initio methods of the complexes have helped to understand their photocatalytic activity.

Copper-Photocatalyzed Borylation of Organic Halides under Batch and Continuous-Flow Conditions

The copper-photocatalyzed borylation of aryl, heteroaryl, vinyl and alkyl halides (I and Br) was reported. The reaction proceeded using a new heteroleptic Cu complex under irradiation with blue LEDs, giving the corresponding boronic-acid esters in good to excellent yields. The reaction was extended to continuous-flow conditions to allow an easy scale-up. The mechanism of the reaction was studied and a mechanism based on a reductive quenching (Cu^I /Cu^I */Cu⁰ ) was suggested.

Synthesis and characterisation of homoleptic 2,9-diaryl-1,10-phenanthroline copper(i) complexes: influencing selectivity in photoredox-catalysed atom-transfer radical addition reactions

Novel bis(2,9-diaryl-1,10-phenanthroline)copper(i) complexes were prepared to study a photoredox-catalysed reaction.