Nature is capable of storing solar energy in chemical bonds via photosynthesis through a series of C-C, C-O and C-N bond forming reactions starting from CO2 and light. Direct application of solar energy for organic synthesis is a promising approach. Solution processable Lead (Pb)-halide perovskite solar cells reaches 23% power conversion efficiency (PCE) in just a few years of development, rendering perovskite a unique type materials for solar energy capturing s. We argue that photophysical properties of perovskites already proved for photovoltaic applications, also should be of interest in photoredox organic synthesis. Because the key aspects of these two applications are relying on charge separation and transfer. Here we proved that perovskites nanocrystals (NCs) of APbBr3 are exceptional candidates as photocatalysts forfundamental C-C, C-O and C-N bond-formation reactions: a-alkylation of aldehydes, C-H activation, N-hetero-cyclization, aryl-esterification and amination, as well as atom-transfer-radical-polymerization (ATRP) without aerobic sparging under visible light illumination. Stability of CsPbBr3 NCs in organic solvents and ease-of-tuning their bandedges garner perovskite a wider scope of organic substrate activations. Our low-cost, easy-to-process, highly-efficient, air-tolerant and bandedge-tunable perovskites may bring new breakthrough in organic chemistry.

Perovskite for photocatalytic organic synthesis

2019 Fall National Meeting

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