Described herein are dual-metal complexes containing a visible-light-harvesting center(MLH) linked to a catalytic metal center (Mcat) by an organic bridging ligand. The purpose of these complexes is absorption of solar energy, which is used to drive a wide variety of catalytic transformations. Built from phenanthroline, the linking bridge is a rigid organic ligand that features an N-heterocyclic carbene(NHC) buried in an imidazole moiety. The electron-rich nature of the NHC in this ligand allows for facile complexation to a wide variety of catalytic metals, in addition to quick energy transfer through redox processes involving both MLH and Mcat. Several available sites for ligand modification (R1, R2, R3, and R4) provide for tuning of steric and electronic properties, which may be used to enhance bonding and energy transfer to the catalytic metal or create an ideal environment for new light-harvesting metals.

Light-driven dual metal catalysis

251st National Meeting (2016)

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