Polyoxometalate sensitization in mechanistic studies of photochemical reactions: the decatungstate anion as a reference sensitizer for photoinduced free radical oxygenations of organic compounds

A density functional study of the photocatalytic degradation of polycaprolactone by the decatungstate anion in acetonitrile solution

A recent experimental study has reported that decatungstate [W10O32]4- can degrade various polyesters in the presence of light and molecular oxygen [Li et al., Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 15038]. We apply density functional theory to the photocatalyst-polycaprolactone model complex in acetonitrile solution and elucidate the degradation mechanisms and catalytic cycle. We consider hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and single electron transfer (SET) mechanisms. The potential energy profiles show that the former proceeds exergonically in a single step but that the latter involves a subsequent proton transfer and finally yields HAT products as well. Oxygenated polymer species can regain the transferred hydrogen and regenerate the reduced photocatalyst. We propose a photocatalytic cycle that realizes both the photocatalyst regeneration and the polymer degradation.

NIR phosphorescence from decatungstate anions allows the conclusive characterization of its elusive excited triplet behaviour and kinetics

The characterization of the triplet state of decatungstate (3DT*) and its NIR phosphorescence with lifetimes ∼100 ns in acetonitrile allow the easy determination of rate constants that are key to understanding its role in catalysis. The absence of oxygen quenching can now be understood as the excitation energy of 3DT* is lower than the energy of singlet oxygen.

Coupled reaction equilibria enable the light-driven formation of metal-functionalized molecular vanadium oxides

The introduction of metal sites into molecular metal oxides, so-called polyoxometalates, is key for tuning their structure and reactivity. The complex mechanisms which govern metal-functionalization of polyoxometalates are still poorly understood. Here, we report a coupled set of light-dependent and light-independent reaction equilibria controlling the mono- and di-metal-functionalization of a prototype molecular vanadium oxide cluster. Comprehensive mechanistic analyses show that coordination of a Mg2+ ion to the species {(NMe2H2)2[VV12O32Cl]}3- results in formation of the mono-functionalized {(NMe2H2)[(MgCl)VV12O32Cl]}3- with simultaneous release of a NMe2H2+ placeholder cation. Irradiation of this species with visible light results in one-electron reduction of the vanadate, exchange of the second NMe2H2+ with Mg2+, and formation/crystallization of the di-metal-functionalized [(MgCl)2VIVVV11O32Cl]4-. Mechanistic studies show how stimuli such as light or competing cations affect the coupled equilibria. Transfer of this synthetic concept to other metal cations is also demonstrated, highlighting the versatility of the approach.

Direct Photocatalyzed Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) for Aliphatic C-H Bonds Elaboration

Direct photocatalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (d-HAT) can be considered a method of choice for the elaboration of aliphatic C–H bonds. In this manifold, a photocatalyst (PC_HAT) exploits the energy of a photon to trigger the homolytic cleavage of such bonds in organic compounds. Selective C–H bond elaboration may be achieved by a judicious choice of the hydrogen abstractor (key parameters are the electronic character and the molecular structure), as well as reaction additives. Different are the classes of PCs_HAT available, including aromatic ketones, xanthene dyes (Eosin Y), polyoxometalates, uranyl salts, a metal-oxo porphyrin and a tris(amino)cyclopropenium radical dication. The processes (mainly C–C bond formation) are in most cases carried out under mild conditions with the help of visible light. The aim of this review is to offer a comprehensive survey of the synthetic applications of photocatalyzed d-HAT.

Materials for selective photo-oxygenation vs. photocatalysis: preparation, properties and applications in environmental and health fields

Photosensitizing materials made of organic dyes embedded in various supports are compared to usual supported TiO₂-based photocatalysts.

Visible light photooxidative performance of a high-nuclearity molecular bismuth vanadium oxide cluster

The visible light photooxidative performance of a new high-nuclearity molecular bismuth vanadium oxide cluster, H3[{Bi(dmso)3}4V13O40], is reported. Photocatalytic activity studies show faster reaction kinetics under anaerobic conditions, suggesting an oxygen-dependent quenching of the photoexcited cluster species. Further mechanistic analysis shows that the reaction proceeds via the intermediate formation of hydroxyl radicals which act as oxidant. Trapping experiments using ethanol as a hydroxyl radical scavenger show significantly decreased photocatalytic substrate oxidation in the presence of EtOH. Photocatalytic performance analyses using monochromatic visible light irradiation show that the quantum efficiency Φ for indigo photooxidation is strongly dependent on the irradiation wavelength, with higher quantum efficiencies being observed at shorter wavelengths (Φ395nm ca. 15%). Recycling tests show that the compound can be employed as homogeneous photooxidation catalyst multiple times without loss of catalytic activity. High turnover numbers (TON ca. 1200) and turnover frequencies up to TOF ca. 3.44 min(-1) are observed, illustrating the practical applicability of the cluster species.

Mixed-valence polyoxometalates: spin-coupling and electron distribution in the decawolframate anion reduced by two electrons

The decawolframate anion reduced by two electrons, W10O326-, is diamagnetic, and its two "extra" electrons delocalize mainly among its eight equatorial wolfram sites. In this work, we combine a phenomenological Hamiltonian with first-principles calculations to explain the origin of these properties. Through ab initio calculations and effective Hamiltonians on fragments, we determine the values of the magnetic exchange parameters, J, the transfer integrals, t, the Coulombic repulsions, V, and the orbital energies, epsilon. Then, by introducing these parameters in a model Hamiltonian simulating the whole molecule, one obtains that the singlet-triplet gap is 780 meV and that more than a 90% of the "extra" electron density resides on the eight equatorial wolfram ions. An analysis of the interplay between these parameters indicates that electron-transfer processes play a dominant role while magnetic exchange has only a minor influence.

Homogeneous Decatungstate-Catalyzed Photooxygenation of Tetrasubstituted Alkenes: A Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effect Study

The decatungstate W10O32(4-) homogeneous photocatalyzed oxygenation of tetrasubstituted alkenes has been mechanistically studied. In all cases, allylic hydroperoxides are the major products. The primary inter- and intramolecular as well as the remote delta-secondary deuterium kinetic isotope effects for the photooxidation of the 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene and 1,1,1-trideuterio-7-methyl-2-(trideuteriomethyl)octa-2,6-diene along with product analysis suggest a hydrogen abstraction in the rate-determining step. For comparison, singlet oxygen photosensitized oxidations of the above substrates were also studied.

Photo-oxidation of di-n-butylsulfide by various electron transfer sensitizers in oxygenated acetonitrile

The selective activation of different photosensitizers has been carried out under comparable conditions and their efficiency towards di-n-butylsulfide oxidation in oxygenated acetonitrile compared from the product distribution after 150 minutes of irradiation. As expected, the best selectivity towards sulfoxide is obtained with a conventional energy transfer sensitizer such as Rose Bengal (RB), but also with a quinone with a low-lying triplet state, 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (chloranil or CHLO) and with 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA). More significant yields in sulfonic and sulfuric acids are obtained under sensitization with 9,10-anthraquinone (ANT) or a derivative of benzophenone, 4-benzoyl benzoic acid (4-BB), with which additional experiments were carried out in order to discuss the involvement of either singlet oxygen or superoxide radical anion. Triphenyl pyrylium tetrafluoroborate (TPT+) is inefficient under the selected conditions and sulfide photo-oxidation can only be achieved with higher TPT+ concentrations with simultaneous total TPT+ bleaching. With TPT+, 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCNB) and TiO2, the product distribution and the low selectivity as well as the formation of numerous common by-products are indicative of radical mechanisms. All these results are discussed according to the possible formation of activated oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen, superoxide radical anion or alkylperoxy radicals.

Decatungstate photocatalyzed oxidation of aryl alkanols. Electron transfer or hydrogen abstraction mechanism?

[reaction: see text] Decatungstate W(10)O(32)(4-) photosensitized oxidation of a series of para-X-substituted 1-aryl-1-alkanols was investigated. The only oxidation product of the side-chain of the 1-aryl-1-alkanol was the aryl ketone. The product analysis and kinetic data of the title reaction support a hydrogen atom transfer mechanism in the rate-determining step.