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Tetrametallic Copper Complex to Nanoscale Copper: Selective and Switchable Dehydrogenation-Hydrogenation under Light
Amishwar Raysing Shelte1,2, Kasturi Sarmah3, Ankur K Guha4
1Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|October 21, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a photoactive copper nanocluster that switches between active and inactive states. This stimuli-responsive catalyst controls opposing reactions like alcohol dehydrogenation and nitroaromatic hydrogenation using light and oxygen.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Developing ultrafine, photoactive nanoclusters with switchable redox states is crucial for controlling antagonistic reactions.
- Stimuli-responsive catalysts offer precise control over chemical transformations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a discrete, photoactive, ultrafine copper nanocluster with stimuli-responsive switchable redox-active states.
- To utilize this nanocluster for controlling two different antagonistic reactions.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-valent tetrametallic copper complex (C-1) with an N-O-N Schiff base ligand was synthesized.
- Photoactive nanoscale copper (S-1) was generated via reduction of the imine in C-1.
- Stimuli-responsive switching between reduced (S-1) and oxidized (S-2) states was investigated using oxygen and light.
Main Results:
- The synthesized ligand stabilized the ultrafine copper nanocluster (S-1) in organic solvents.
- The nanocluster exhibited stimuli-responsive switching between reduced and oxidized states (S-1 and S-2).
- This bistate catalyst demonstrated significant rate differences (5-12 fold) for alcohol dehydrogenation and nitroaromatic hydrogenation under light.
Conclusions:
- A novel, discrete, photoactive copper nanocluster with switchable redox states was successfully synthesized.
- The nanocluster acts as a bistate catalyst, enabling control over opposing reactions like dehydrogenation and hydrogenation.
- This work presents a promising platform for light-controlled catalysis using stimuli-responsive nanoclusters.
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