Photoswitchable Catalysis Mediated by Nanoparticles

Abstract

Photoswitchable catalysis utilizes spatiotemporal light delivery to provide control over reaction rate and selectivity. The inception and further development of this field was related to bulk solutions. This minireview describes the recent evolution of nanoparticle‐based colloidal systems and explains the principles ruling therein. Subsequently, examples of such systems are reported with thorough analysis and comparison. Finally, we provide an outlook on possible new directions in this field.

Gold Nanorods Grant an ON-OFF Control over the Kinetics of the Z-E Isomerization of Azobenzene-Based Photoswitch via Thermoplasmonic Effect

“…The isomerization of azobenzene and its derivatives (Azo) has remained topical since the 1930s. [1] The number of potential advanced applications of azobenzene photoswitches [2] is still growing, [3] ranging from molecular electronics, [4] through light-controlled catalysis, [5] and photoactuators, [6] to chemical biology [7,8] and beyond. [9] Such a dynamic advancement demands constant development of https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2024-vnj32 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4939-7267 Content not peer-reviewed by ChemRxiv.…”

Photocontrol of catalysis in CuAAC reactions by air stable Cu(i) complexes of phenylazopyrazole-incorporated ligands

“…Photocontrol over catalytic processes can be achieved by incorporating organic photochromes within the catalyst frameworks. [1][2][3][4][5][6] The resultant photoresponsive catalysts reversibly control the steric/electronic environment at the catalytically active center by light, thereby influencing the reactivity and/or selectivity of catalytic reactions. [7][8][9] Despite significant advancements in organic photoswitchable catalysts, [1][2][3][4][5][6] designing metal-containing analogues presents unique challenges.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] The resultant photoresponsive catalysts reversibly control the steric/electronic environment at the catalytically active center by light, thereby influencing the reactivity and/or selectivity of catalytic reactions. [7][8][9] Despite significant advancements in organic photoswitchable catalysts, [1][2][3][4][5][6] designing metal-containing analogues presents unique challenges. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] In such complexes, photoisomerization behavior and stability of the photoswitched states are often suppressed due to metal coordination.…”