Tpy-Mn(II)-Tpy (Tpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine)-Based Pentagonal Prism for Green Photodriven Oxidation

In coordination-driven metal-organic cages, the transition metal ions are generally utilized as linkages. Employment of its unique properties with the aim of achieving specific applications still presents great challenges. Herein, we report a decametric metal-organic cage named pentagonal prism (MnLC) based on Tpy-Mn(II)-Tpy connectivity (Tpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine) in which Mn(II) serves as a linker and endows the resulting metal-organic cage with good photosensitivity. In the photooxidation of benzaldehyde, pentagonal prism MnLC showed a significantly increased level of ¹O₂ production, the fastest conversion time, good recyclability, and substrate versatility due to its greatly improved intersystem crossing ability. Notably, the abundant active sites of metal pentagonal prism MnLC enable its photooxidation under solvent-free and daylight conditions. This work provides approaches for the development of inexpensive, green, and low-cost photosensitizer systems.