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Structural Design Principle of Small‐Molecule Organic Semiconductors for Metal‐Free, Visible‐Light‐Promoted Photocatalysis
Author(s) -
Wang Lei,
Huang Wei,
Li Run,
Gehrig Dominik,
Blom Paul W. M.,
Landfester Katharina,
Zhang Kai A. I.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201603789
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , photochemistry , semiconductor , visible spectrum , organic semiconductor , materials science , molecule , intermolecular force , electron acceptor , absorption (acoustics) , acceptor , chemistry , nanotechnology , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , catalysis , composite material , condensed matter physics , physics
Herein, we report on the structural design principle of small‐molecule organic semiconductors as metal‐free, pure organic and visible light‐active photocatalysts. Two series of electron‐donor and acceptor‐type organic semiconductor molecules were synthesized to meet crucial requirements, such as 1) absorption range in the visible region, 2) sufficient photoredox potential, and 3) long lifetime of photogenerated excitons. The photocatalytic activity was demonstrated in the intermolecular C−H functionalization of electron‐rich heteroaromates with malonate derivatives. A mechanistic study of the light‐induced electron transport between the organic photocatalyst, substrate, and the sacrificial agent are described. With their tunable absorption range and defined energy‐band structure, the small‐molecule organic semiconductors could offer a new class of metal‐free and visible light‐active photocatalysts for chemical reactions.