A series of phenanthroline-based ligands have been synthesised and their influence as bidentate nitrogen ligands in heteroleptic [Cu(P^P)(N^N)] photosensitisers in light-driven water reduction has been studied. In this noble-metal-free Cu-Fe-based photocatalytic water reduction system, the structural effects of the nitrogen ligands have been explored, including the steric and electronic effects of substituents at the 2,9- and 4,7-positions of phenanthroline. Ligands were prepared that led to increased hydrogen generation, with turnover numbers (TON ) of up to 1388 being observed. All the new complexes were electrochemically and photophysically characterised. We demonstrate for the first time that the presence of fluorine in nitrogen ligands increases the efficacy of copper complexes in photocatalytic hydrogen production.

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One-pot process for preparation ferrocenylethene derivatives by solvent-free Wittig Reaction of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde, alcohol, triphenylphosphonium bromide, and NaOH without the synthesis of phosphorus ylides was reported. The ferrocenylethene products obtained had an 80% yield with NaOH as the base at room temperature for 30 to 90 minutes.