Development of heterogeneous photocatalysts via the covalent grafting of metal complexes on various solid supports

To date, remarkable progress has been achieved in the development of photocatalysts owing to their high activity, selectivity, and tunable light absorption in the visible light range. Recently, heterogeneous photocatalytic systems have emerged as potential candidates due to their beneficial attributes (e.g., high surface area, ease of functionalization and facile separation). Herein, we provide a concise overview of the rational design of heterogeneous photocatalysts by grafting photoactive complexes on heterogeneous support matrices via covalent grafting and their detailed characterization techniques, which have been followed by the landmark examples of their applications. Also, major challenges and opportunities in the forthcoming progress of these appealing areas are emphasised.

Role of Spin-Orbit Coupling in Long Range Energy Transfer in Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging as a promising platform for solar energy conversion applications. Their potential utilization as efficient chromophores in artificial photosynthesis is closely related to the understanding of light-harvesting and energy transfer processes that occur within these molecular scaffolds. Herein, we present the photophysical investigation of Ru(II), Ir(III), and Os(II) polypyridyl complexes incorporated into the backbone of UiO-67. In this work, we systematically study the effect of spin-orbit coupling on dipole-dipole energy transfer in MOFs using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. The results of our work indicate successful triplet-to-singlet energy transfer and a sizable increase in the transfer kinetics and critical distance, as direct consequences of strong spin-orbit couplings. Remarkably, the reported R0 value for OsDCBPY (R0 = 88 ± 10 Å) represents one of the largest Förster distances observed in an MOF. Collectively, this work contributes to the general knowledge of energy transfer in materials and provides groundwork for efficient utilization in artificial photosynthetic assemblies.

An overview of the recent synthesis and functionalization methods of saponite clay

In this overview, a summary on the most common intercalation compounds based on saponite clays is reported. The attention is also focused on the one-pot methods for the production of functional saponite clays for different applications.

Solid state vibrational circular dichroism towards molecular recognition: chiral metal complexes intercalated in a clay mineral

The solid state VCD method revealed chirality effects on the intermolecular interaction between Δ- or Λ-[Ru(phen)₃]²⁺ and R or S-BINOL intercalated in a montmorillonite clay.

Microscopic chiral pockets in a tris(chelated) iridium(iii) complex as sites for dynamic enantioselective quenching

A microscopic pocket surrounded by bulky ligands in Ir(iii) acted as a site discriminating the chirality of an approaching molecule.

Vibrational circular dichroism and single crystal X-Ray diffraction analyses of [Ir(bzq)2(phen)]+ (bzq = benzo[h]quinoline; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline): absolute configuration and role of CH–π interaction in molecular packing

The absolute configuration of a cationic iridium(iii) complex was determined in solution and solid by vibrational circular dichroism and X-ray diffraction analyses.

Chiral phosphorescent probes for amino acids: hybrids of iridium(iii) complexes with synthetic saponite

The effects of amino acids on the emission of iridium(iii) complexes adsorbed by colloidal particles of synthetic saponite lead to the conclusion that the interplay between two intramolecular chiral centers achieved enantioselectivity.