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Photocatalytic olefin oxidation using air as an oxidant is an environmentally friendly method for producing epoxides. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as promising photocatalysts in various organic synthesis reactions. The combination of tri-(2-pyridinal aldehyde)-containing precursor with 4,4′,4″-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)trianiline generated (N^N)-I-COF. Via imine-to-quinoline transformation and coordination anchorage of Ru(N^N)3 unit, Ru(N^N)3@Q-COF was obtained with improved chemical stability, skeleton conjugation, and novel photochemical characteristics, and demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity in olefin epoxidation with a wide range of substrates. The presence of H2O played a crucial role in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROSs), which in turn influenced the olefin oxidation process. The hydrophilicity of Ru(N^N)3 facilitated the approach of H2O and O2 to the photogenerated charges, thereby promoting ROSs generation. The lipophilicity of Q-COF allowed for the absorption of olefin substrates, and its nano-channels increased encountering possibility between olefins and ROSs. Consequently, Ru(N^N)3@Q-COF provided an intriguing platform for olefin photooxidation and could be recycled multiple times without any degradation in performance. This report revealed that the conversion of classical ROSs into less potent oxidants with rapid kinetic rates played a crucial role in achieving highly efficient and selective epoxidation of terminal olefins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to synthesize a zinc-loaded Ziziphus mauritiana seeds activated carbon (Zn/ZMSAC) composite using a hydrothermal technique for the effective removal of Rhodamine B and orange II dye from wastewater. The synthesized Zn/ZMSAC composite was characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. This study tackles the issue of organic dye pollution in wastewater by developing a novel composite material with combined photocatalytic and adsorption properties. The Zn/ZMSAC composite proves to be a highly effective and sustainable solution for wastewater treatment. XRD results confirmed the amorphous nature of the Zn/ZMSAC structures. The study demonstrated that the Zn/ZMSAC composite could efficiently remove Rhodamine B and Orange II dyes from aqueous solutions. These findings indicate that the Zn/ZMSAC composite leverages a synergistic interaction between ZnO (acting as photocatalysts) and ZMSAC (functioning as an adsorbent). We propose a potential mechanism for the dye removal process and analyze the kinetics using a pseudo-first-order model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Because of the unique and superior optoelectronic properties, metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have attracted great interest in photocatalysis. Element doping strategy is adopted to modify perovskite materials to improve their photocatalytic performance. However, the contribution of bare doping‐site onto photocatalytic efficiency, and the correlation between doping locations and activity have not yet to be demonstrated. The unique properties of non‐active alkali metals promoted us to systematically explore the potential of A‐site‐doped MHPs for photocatalysis. Herein, we dope potassium (K+) into CsPbBr3 via an anti‐solvent precipitation method and first reveal that the occupied locations of K+ in CsPbBr3 is lattice incorporation rather than surface segregation, which would change from A‐site substitution to interstitial site in lattice with the increase of K+ concentrations. Taking hydrogen (H2) evolution as a model reaction, photocatalytic activity of CsPbBr3 after K+ doping could be significantly improved ~11‐fold with A‐site substitution, which is superior to that of interstitial site doping. Moreover, other alkali metals including lithium (Li), sodium (Na), and rubidium (Rb) doping give the same results. The structure of photocatalysts during reaction confirmed the contribution of A‐site doping onto enhanced photocatalytic activity. Mechanistic insights show it is a result of the relaxed lattice strain induced promoted charge‐carriers dynamics and upward shifting of band after K+ A‐site doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium carbide (Ti3C2) MXenes due to their structural and optical characteristics rapidly emerged as the preferred material, particularly in catalysis and energy applications. On the other hand, because of its enormous surface/volume ratio and porosity, Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) show promise in several areas, including catalysis, delivery, and storage. The potential to increase the applicability of these magic compounds might be achieved by taking advantage of the inherent flexibility in design and synthesis, and optical characteristics of MXenes. Thus, coupling MOF with Ti3C2 MXenes to construct hybrid composites is considered promising in a variety of applications, including energy conversion and storage. This paper presents a systematic discussion of current developments in Ti3C2 MXenes/MOF composites for photocatalytic reduction of CO2, and production of hydrogen through water splitting. Initially, the overview and characteristics of MXenes and MOFs are independently discussed and then a detailed investigation of efficiency enhancement is examined. Different strategies such as engineering aspects, construction of binary and ternary composites and their efficiency enhancement mechanism are deliberated. Finally, different strategies to explore further in various other applications are suggested. Although Ti3C2 MXenes/MOF composites have not yet been thoroughly investigated, they are potential photocatalysts for the production of solar fuel and ought to be looked into further for a range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the effective removal of pollutants in domestic wastewater by constructed wetlands, the coupling of constructed wetlands with artificial wetlands has become a research hotspot in recent years. By constructing a photocatalytic, electric field, and magnetic field coupled vertical flow constructed wetland, the removal effects of CODcr, NH + 4 -N, TP, and PO 3 4 -P in wastewater were explored, and the composition features of microbial communities in each unit were analyzed. The results show that after adding photocatalysis, electric field, and magnetic field, the removal rates of CODcr, NH+4-N, TP, and PO 3 4 -P were 71. 1%, 95. 5%, 54. 3%, and 52. 4%, respectively, which can improve the removal effects of CODcr and NH+4 -N. Compared with the ordinary constructed wetland, the removal rate of CODcr can be increased by 8. 6% ~ 22. 4%, and the removal efficiency of NH + 4 -N can be increased by 6. 3% ~ 30. 0% . However, the removal effects of TP and PO³4 -P cannot be improved. The photocatalytic unit promotes the growth and metabolism of phototrophic microorganisms such as Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, Synechococcophycideae, and Chloronema, and enhances the activity of thermophilic microorganism Leptolyngbya. The electric and magnetic field units promote the growth and metabolism of denitrification and phosphorus removal microorganisms such as Proteobacteria, and enhance the activity of nitrification function bacteria Acinetobacter and Nitrospira. It can be seen that coupling the photocatalytic, electric field, and magnetic field units with the vertical flow constructed wetland can increase the abundance of photoautotrophic and denitrifying bacteria, enhance the removal effect of CODcr and NH+4 -N, and the excessively high electric and magnetic field strength may affect the adsorption and sedimentation of phosphorus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human production and living processes emit excessive VOCs into the atmosphere, posing significant threats to both human health and the environment. The photothermal catalytic oxidation process is an organic combination of photocatalysis and thermocatalysis. Utilizing photothermal catalytic degradation of VOCs can achieve better catalytic activity at lower temperatures, resulting in more rapid and thorough degradation of these compounds. Photothermal catalysis has been increasingly applied in the treatment of atmospheric VOCs due to its many advantages. A brief introduction on the three modes of photothermal catalysis is presented. Depending on the main driving force of the reactions, they can be categorized into thermal‐assisted photocatalysis (TAPC), photo‐assisted thermal catalysis (PATC) and photo‐driven thermal catalysis (PDTC). The commonly used catalyst design methods and reactor types for photothermal catalysis are also briefly introduced. This paper then focuses on recent developments in specific applications for photothermal catalytic oxidation of different types of VOCs and their corresponding principles. Finally, the problems and challenges facing VOC degradation through this method are summarized, along with prospects for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes feature one‐dimensional nature of collective excitations, wherein strong confinement of surface plasmons severely hinders the liberation of hot electrons (HEs), posing grand challenges for their utilization in photochemistry. In this study, we prototypically achieved directed HEs flow and extraction in hybrid plasmonic CNN based on cup‐stacked carbon nanotubes (CSCNTs), taking advantage of their privileged edge‐plane sites. The localized pz electronic states and accessible intersubband plasmon excitations in the near‐infrared (NIR) regime stands in striking contrast to the conventional concentric carbon nanotubes, as evidenced by combined photo‐induced force microscopy (PiFM) and transient photocurrent response. The hybrid comprising intimately integrated CSCNTs‐C3N4 effectively sustains interfacial electronic states and underlies the energy extraction out of plasmonic components. The CNN demonstrates almost near‐unity NIR light‐driven CO2 reduction to CO with a rate of 1.35 μmol g−1 h−1. This work sheds light on the exploitation of metal‐free carbon‐based plasmonic nanostructures for photocatalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar‐driven CO2 selective reduction with high conversion is a challenging task yet holds immense promise for both CO2 neutralization and green fuel production. Enhancing CO2 adsorption at the catalytic centre can trigger a highly efficient CO2 capture‐to‐conversion process. Herein, we introduce cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]), a new family of molecular ligands, as a key component in the creation of a 3D cage‐like metal (nickel, Ni)‐complex molecular co‐catalyst (CB[7]‐Ni) for photocatalysis. It exhibits an unprecedented CO yield rate of 72.1 μmol ⋅ h−1 with a high selectivity of 97.9 % under visible light irradiation. To verify the origin of the carbon source in the products, a straightforward isotopic tracing method is designed based on tandem reactions. The catalytic process commences with photoelectron transfer from Ru(bpy)32+ to the Ni2+ site, resulting in the reduction of Ni2+ to Ni+. The locally enriched CO2 molecules in the cage ligand CB[7] undergo selective reduction by the Ni+ nearby to form CO product. This work exemplifies the inspiring potential of ligand structure engineering in advancing the development of efficient unanchored molecular co‐catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explored the use of Mes‐Acr‐MeClO4 as a visible light photocatalyst for multicomponent reactions involving quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones with CBrCl3 and styrene. The method showcases regioselective functionalization of quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones in a three‐component system, forming two C─C bonds in one pot. Mechanistic investigations suggest a radical‐mediated pathway, initiated by the photoexcitation of Mes‐Acr‐MeClO4, followed by halogen atom abstraction from CBrCl3. This approach provides a versatile and sustainable route for quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one functionalization, with Mes‐Acr‐MeClO4 effectively facilitating the photocatalyzed multicomponent reaction under mild conditions and visible light irradiation, yielding high selectivity and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) serve as an excellent foundation for heterogeneous photocatalysis. Herein, we synthesized an anthraquinone‐based COF (TpAQ) on a gram scale via a mechanochemical grinding pathway. This COF was employed as a visible‐light‐harvesting photocatalyst for selective fluorination of benzylic C─H bonds and perfluoroalkylation of arenes. The carbonyl core in the anthraquinone linker facilitated benzylic fluorination through a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) pathway. Control experiments and photophysical analysis were conducted to gain deeper insight into the reaction mechanism. The recyclability up to the fifth cycle without significant loss of yield (>90%) highlighted the robustness of the catalyst. This reaction strategy was also executed on a gram scale to validate the scalability of the protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of photocatalysts must be meticulous, especially when they are designed to degrade hazardous dyes that cause mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. In this meticulous approach, Ni-based metal–organic frameworks with different ligands, including terephthalic acid (NTP), 2-aminoterephthalic acid (NATP), and their composite with g-C3N4 (NTP/GCN, and NATP/GCN) have been synthesized using hydrothermal method. Structural analysis by XRD and ATR-IR revealed synergistic properties due to robust chemical interactions between the NATP-MOFs and GCN systems. A flower-like morphology was observed for both NTP and NATP, while their composites showed mixed-particulate structures mimicking the morphology of GCN. Optical analyses indicated visible-light driven properties with modulated recombination resistance in the system. Among the synthesized bare and composite systems, NATP/GCN exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency for the cationic rhodamine B dye (~ 93% in 120 min), while it was relatively less efficient for the anionic Congo red dye, (~ 64% in 120 min). The insights gained from the fundamental characterizations including Mott–Schottky, scavenger, and electrochemical impedance analysis revealed that the amino-groups in NATP/GCN composite offered the band edge potentials suitable for the effective generation of energetic radical species with the improved carrier delocalization, recombination resistance, and charge transfer properties in the composite system through Z-scheme formation. Parametric investigations by varying the concentration of catalyst, dye, and pH along with recycle studies, demonstrated the excellent stability of the developed composites for sustainable photocatalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D metal phosphorous trichalcogenides (MPCh3) have attracted considerable attention in sustainable energy storage and conversion due to their distinct physical and chemical characteristics, such as adjustable energy bandgap, significant specific surface area, and abundant active sites. However, research on 2D MPCh3 primarily focuses on electrocatalysis, and understanding its energy conversion and storage mechanisms remains incomplete. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advancements in energy storage and conversion using 2D MPCh3‐based materials of various structures. It begins with a discussion of the distinctive properties and preparation techniques of 2D MPCh3, followed by a focus on the rational design and development of these materials for diverse energy‐related applications, including rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and desalination. Finally, it outlines the key challenges and prospects for future research on 2D MPCh3 materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphous materials with a high number of unsaturated coordinated dangling bonds exhibits macroscopic homogeneity and isotropy, making it easily modifiable to improve the catalytic properties. At present, several feasible modification strategies for amorphous materials have been proposed and applied to multiple catalytic fields. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent research advancements in the modification of amorphous materials for catalysis. First, the general strategies for modifying amorphous materials are summarized. Subsequently, the potential applications of modified amorphous materials in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis are highlighted. Additionally, the positive effects of various modification tools on the catalytic properties of amorphous materials are elucidated. Finally, a summary of the challenges and offer a critical perspective on the further development of modified amorphous materials are presented. The primary goal of this review is to offer a systematic understanding of how to enhance catalytic performance and to stimulate further research on amorphous catalysts in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The burgeoning field of conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) has generated widespread interest due to their potential as photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water. Nevertheless, their photocatalytic performance is sometimes hindered by inadequate charge separation and transfer, coupled with rapid charge recombination. Herein, a strategy to enhance photocatalytic performance via the customization of π‐bridges through the modulation of heteroatoms in a series of donor‐π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) CMPs is proposed. This affords optimized energy levels and improved charge separation and transfer, thus boosting photocatalytic efficiency. Among various heteroatom substitutions, S‐doped CMP (10 mg) demonstrates the highest photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 203 µmol h−1 (AQY450nm = 7.4%) under visible light irradiation. Subsequent experimental analysis reveals its superior photocatalytic performance can be largely related to its minimized exciton binding energy, facilitated charge transfer efficiency, and impeded charge recombination among these heteroatom‐doped D‐π‐A CMPs. This research paves the way for the rational design and modification of organic semiconductors for advanced solar‐driven photocatalysis by promoting charge separation and transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pristine carbon nitride (CN) has low CO2 reduction ability due to its sluggish charge carriers transfer and CO2 activation. Herein, carbon vacancy (CV) and Ag single atoms (SAs) with N2 coordination are simultaneously introduced into CN with the ordered structure for stable and efficient photoreduction of CO2 in the presence of H2O. The optimal sample loaded with 0.053 wt.% Ag evolve 173.0 µmol g−1 CO in 3 h with 89% selectivity, which is 11.7 times higher than that of pristine CN (14.7 µmol g−1). Experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that the CV and Ag–N2 sites promote CO2 adsorption/activation and the generation of *COOH and *CO. KSCN‐assisted calcination induces more ordered arrangement of melon chains, which can accelerate charge transfer/separation and facilitate H2O oxidation, thus accounting for the largely improved CO2 photoreduction performance. This study adopts a new method to prepare Ag SA‐anchored and C‐deficient CN, and provides insights into their synergistic roles in enhancing CO2 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein photocatalysts provide a modular platform to access new reaction pathways and affect product outcomes, but their use in polymer synthesis is limited because co‐catalysts and/or co‐reductants are required to complete catalytic cycles. Herein, we report using zinc myoglobin (ZnMb), an inherently photoactive protein, to mediate photoinduced electron/energy transfer (PET) reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations. Using ZnMb as the sole reagent for catalysis, photomediated polymerizations of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide in PBS were achieved with predictable molecular weights, dispersity values approaching 1.1, and high chain‐end fidelity. We found that initial apparent rate constants of polymerization increased from 4.6×10–5 s−1 for zinc mesoporpyhrin IX (ZnMIX) to 6.5×10–5 s−1 when ZnMIX was incorporated into myoglobin to yield ZnMb, indicating that the protein binding site enhanced catalytic activity. Chain extension reactions comparing ZnMb‐mediated RAFT polymerizations to thermally‐initiated RAFT polymerizations showed minimal differences in block copolymer molecular weights and dispersities. This work enables studies to elucidate how protein modifications (e.g., secondary structure folding, site‐directed mutagenesis, directed evolution) can be used to modulate polymerization outcomes (e.g., selective monomer additions towards sequence control, tacticity control, molar mass distributions). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an approach to photocatalytic hydrogen production through a dye-sensitized photocatalytic system employing MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x) and a non-noble cobalt metal catalyst. It was demonstrated that simple integration of eosin Y, Ti 3 C 2 T x and cobalt salt (CoSO 4) significantly enhances the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, outperforming the corresponding system that does not include Ti 3 C 2 T x. The key to this enhanced performance lies in the unique properties of MXene material, which facilitates effective electron transfer and acts as a support for dye and catalyst. The successful well-dispersed decoration of small (2–3 nm) cobalt-based nanoparticles on the Ti 3 C 2 T x sheet via in situ photodeposition was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The optimal hydrogen production rates were achieved with a Co to Ti 3 C 2 T x mass ratio of 15%. This optimized interaction results in a hydrogen evolution rate of 40.1 mmol h−1 g−1 and an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 35.4% at 505 nm. These findings highlight the potential of Ti 3 C 2 T x as a versatile component in photocatalytic systems, particularly effective when paired with economically viable, earth-abundant catalysts like cobalt. [Display omitted] • In situ Co [2]⁺ photodeposition on Ti₃C₂Tₓ nearly triples hydrogen production. • The optimized photocatalytic H 2 efficiency is enhanced to 40.1 mmol h⁻1 g⁻1. • EY/Ti 3 C 2 T x /Co NPs reaches 35.4% AQE at 505 nm. • Enhanced photocatalytic activity due to effective charge separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aryl‐chlorides and ‐fluorides are common building blocks, but their use in synthesis is limited by the high stability of their Ar−X bonds. The generation of aryl radicals via activation of strong Ar−X bonds is possible through the irradiation of tailor‐made organic anions, which become reductants stronger than lithium metal. We report that the combination of visible light with the cheap diphenylacetic acid dianion is an even better tool, showing excellent activity across a variety of complex substrates and providing opportunities for late‐stage drug modification. Ar−X bonds are chemoselectively activated in the presence of more easily reducible functions, such as Alk‐Cl ones and carbonyl groups. These results pave the way to original synthetic strategies that would be otherwise considered impossible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid lead halides show significant potential in photocatalysis due to their excellent photophysical properties, but the atomically precise modification of their organic component to achieve synergistic interactions with the lead halide units remains a great challenge. Herein, for the first time, we have employed the crystal engineering strategy to construct a class of single‐atom‐substituted hybrid lead halides with electron donor‐acceptor (D‐A) effect. The lead halide frameworks consist of 1D linear [PbCl]+ chains as inorganic building units and benzoxadiazole/benzothiadiazole/ benzoselenadiazole‐funtionalized dicarboxylates as linkers. The covalent bonding between the organic ligands with electron−withdrawing groups and the electron‐rich lead halide units not only facilitate the charge separation, but also enhance structural robustness that is critical for photocatalysis. The D‐A structured lead halides serve as highly efficient heterogeneous photooxidation catalysts, including aerobic oxidation of C(sp3)−H bonds, oxidative coupling of primary amines, oxidation of phenylboronic acids and selective oxidation of sulfides that are demonstrated in 30 examples. Importantly, these photooxidation reactions are able to be driven by natural sunlight and ambient air to afford quantitative yields. Moreover, our lead halide photocatalysts are successful to fix into a photocatalytic flow system, which enables the flow‐type synthesis of high value‐added photooxidation products on a gram scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone‐based porous aromatic frameworks (PT‐PAFs) are synthesized and their photocatalytic properties for H2O2 production are studied. It is found that the combination of pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone with anthraquinone affords an efficient PT‐PAF photocatalyst (PAF‐371) for H2O2 production, which achieves production rates of 3791 µmol g−1 h−1 (with sacrificial reagent) and 923 µmol g−1 h−1 (without sacrificial reagent) from water and oxygen under visible light irradiation. This work demonstrates that pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone molecule could be introduced into PAF materials to construct efficient organic semiconductor photocatalysts for H2O2 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new quaternary tin polychalcogenide K2BaSnSe5 has been synthesized by high temperature solid‐state reaction. It crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group P21/c of the monoclinic system with cell constants a=11.948(2) Å, b=10.367(2) Å, c=9.2902(19) Å, β=91.33(3)°, and V=1150.4(4) Å3. The compound features an interesting zero‐dimensional structure consisting of SnSe5 units, made up of SnSe4 tetrahedra and [Se2] unit, with K+, Ba2+ cations locating in the interstitial sites for charge‐balance. Diffuse reflectance spectrum indicates semiconducting property with an optical band gap of 1.45 eV. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the band gap of the title compound is determined by [SnSe5] units, and the title compound has a large birefringence of 0.28 at wavelength 1.06 μm, which implies that K2BaSnSe5 may be an intriguing photoelectronic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a hallmark of varieties of diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders. Inspired by the discrepancy of ROS concentrations between pathological tissues and the normal counterparts, an increasing number of ROS‐responsive theragnostic prodrugs are developed in past years, with particularly high proportions of organoboron‐based prodrugs that can respond to H2O2. Unfortunately, increasing studies have demonstrated that the intrinsic ROS (H2O2) levels in most pathological tissue are only slightly higher than normal tissues and are not adequate to activate organoboron prodrugs; in contrast, several organoboron compounds have been clinically approved in which boronic acid acts as electrophilic warhead. To this end, developing more robust and universal approaches for boronic acid‐prodrug activation becomes highly attractive. In this context, we discuss the recently reported activation strategies for boron‐caged prodrugs with a particular focus on their design principles and activation mechanisms. The perspectives on the future directions for this important research area are discussed as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth‐based photocatalysts have been widely employed in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. However, the lack of rational structural design and the slow generation of active free radicals have hindered its efficiency. Here, we stabilized Bi2WO6 nanoparticles by wrapping them with hydroxyl groups, introduced metal Cu doping, and underwent an annealing process to construct Cu‐BiNP nanocatalysts with exposed active sites. Under visible light irradiation, 0.03Cu‐BiNP achieved a 94.5% TC degradation efficiency, which is 15.8 times higher than the rate of bulk BiWO. The 0D structure endows Cu‐BiNP with ample opportunities for O2 adsorption and activation, and Cu atomic doping reduces the bandgap and increases the oxygen vacancy, promoting the generation of active oxygen species. This work demonstrates the rapid charge separation and activation of O2 to generate active oxygen species by 0D bismuth‐based nanocatalysts in photocatalytic oxidation reactions, providing a scalable nanocatalyst platform for TC photocatalytic degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A layered Na2SnO3 with honeycomb structure was synthesized by solid state route using sodium carbonate and tin oxide. The prepared sample was characterized by different physicochemical characterization techniques like X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), photoluminescence spectra (PL), N2 adsorption technique (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The photodegradation of rose bengal dye under UV light was studied. Due to honeycomb structure and high surface area of Na2SnO3, the complete degradation of rose Bengal was observed in 90 min under UV light irradiation. Results of photocatalytic dye degradation reaction demonstrated that Na2SnO3 can be employed as photocatalyst under UV light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of electron donor (D) and acceptor (A) units into covalent organic frameworks (COFs) has received increasing interest due to its potential for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution from water. Nevertheless, the advancement of D–A COFs is still constrained by the limited investigations on acceptor engineering, which enables the highly effective charge transfer pathways in COFs to deliver photoexcited electrons in a preferential orientation to enhance photocatalytic performance. Herein, two systems with D–A and D–A–A configurations based on the acceptor molecular engineering strategy are proposed to construct three distinct COFs. Specifically, TAPPy‐DBTDP‐COF merging one pyrene‐based donor and two benzothiadiazole acceptors realized an average H2 evolution rate of 12.7 mmol h−1 g−1 under visible light, among the highest ever reported for typical D–A‐type COF systems. The combination of experimental and theoretical analysis signifies the crucial role of the dual‐acceptor arrangement in promoting exciton dissociation and carrier migration. These findings underscore the significant potential of D–A–A structural design, which is conducive to the efficient separation of photoexcited electrons and holes resulting in superior photocatalytic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐performance photocatalysis requires efficient light absorption and low charge carrier recombination rates. Herein, a light coupling and charge carrier confinement strategy is demonstrated to simultaneously enhance the light absorption efficiency and suppress the charge carrier recombination for high‐performance photocatalysis. The strategy is achieved by the delicate incorporation of catalysts into a dual‐core‐shell structure (e.g., CdS@SiO2@NaYF4:Yb/Tm), in which CdS (catalyst), SiO2, and NaYF4:Yb/Tm serve as shell, outer core, and inner core, respectively. Interestingly, the absorbed light can be confined within the CdS layer through multiple reflections between the CdS and SiO2 interfaces, achieving light confinement. This confinement endows a longer light residence time, enhanced light reabsorption and reutilization efficacy, and a higher concentration of photogenerated charge carriers per unit of time. Moreover, the insulating SiO2 can confine the photogenerated charge carriers within CdS layer, thus shortening their diffusion length for reduced recombination rates. Notably, when employed as the photocatalyst, this dual‐core‐shell structure showed a superb photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate up to 74.67 mmol g−1 h−1, which is 11 times higher than that of pristine CdS. This work provides a new strategy for the design and synthesis of high‐performance photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilization of the near‐infrared (NIR) light in the solar spectrum is critical for efficiency improvement of photocatalytic H2 evolution. However, common semiconductors have low response to the NIR light and narrow bandgap semiconductors have inappropriate redox potentials. Here, the study presents a new dual‐functional up‐conversion strategy in one sensitizer for promoting photocatalytic hydrogen production reactions by converting NIR light to visible light and high‐energy electrons simultaneously, via photon‐photon conversion and photo‐electronic process, respectively. Using WO3:Yb,Er as the sensitizer and Zn0.5Cd0.5S as the hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst, a photocatalytic hydrogen release rate of 24.3 mmol g−1 h−1 under simulated solar‐light has been achieved without using any co‐catalyst. After loading Ni2P as a co‐catalyst, the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance can be further improved to 41.3 mmol g−1 h−1 at 10 °C and 93.3 mmol g−1 h−1 under non‐temperature‐controlled conditions, exceeding most photocatalysts. This work offers a new strategy to improve the NIR light utilization of the solar‐light for promoting photocatalytic hydrogen generation through synergistic photo‐optical, photo‐electronic, and photo‐thermal effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vacancy engineering is a highly efficient approach to enhancing photocatalytic activity. This research presents an innovative development of ZnO/NiO coaxial heterojunction nanofibers (ZN 1/1) and ZnO/NiO coaxial heterojunction nanofibers with engineered oxygen vacancies (OVs-ZN 1/1) via electrospinning and annealing. Detailed characterization of the nanofiber microstructure was conducted using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The OVs-ZN 1/1 nanofibers demonstrated outstanding and unprecedented photocatalytic performance, achieving a 99 % degradation rate of Congo red dye (CR) under simulated solar light in just 45 min, with a good degradation coefficient of 0.091 min−1. Remarkably, the nanofibers' photocatalytic activity remained a high level even after five cycles. Moreover, the photocatalytic H 2 O 2 yield of OVs-ZN 1/1 increased 20 times as much as that of ZN 1/1. Experiments and mechanism analysis indicate that oxygen vacancy, as the electron trapping site of photoexcitation, accelerates the charge separation and transfer at the interface, thus promoting the adsorption and activation of target molecules. This study highlights the novel and superior performance of photochemical catalysts achieved through the strategic incorporation of oxygen vacancies and heterojunctions. [Display omitted] • Utilize coaxial electrospinning to fabricate high-density ZnO/NiO heterojunction nanofibers. • Enhance the photocatalytic performance of the nanofibers by generating oxygen vacancies (OVs). • OVs-ZN 1/1 efficiently catalyze Congo red degrading and H 2 O 2 production under simulated sunlight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a sooner or later risk, antimicrobial resistance due to the overuse of antibiotics is considered a nightmare facing humankind. The visible-light mineralization of antibiotic waste over nanoceramic photocatalysts is an innovative expectant method. Concerning this, nanostructured yttrium orthovanadate (YVO 4) is grown via an adapted sol-gel process tracked by loading of 1.0–4.0 wt% of silver oxide (Ag 2 O) to form heterojunction nanocomposite of Ag 2 O/YVO 4. The as-prepared heterostructures were applied for visible-light photoelimination of ciprofloxacin (CF) in water. The presence of Ag 2 O has enhanced both light absorbance and photogenerated carrier separation of YVO 4. The 3.0 to 4.0 wt% loading of Ag 2 O designated the thinnest bandgap of 2.4 eV regardless of the minor decrease in their specific surface areas from 220 in bare YVO 4 to 168 m2 g−1 for 3.0 % Ag 2 O/YVO 4. The complete mineralization of CF over 3.0 % Ag 2 O/YVO 4 was achieved after 60 min of light illumination at an optimized dose of 1.6 mg mL−1 and a reaction rate constant of 5.41 × 10−2 min−1. This improved photocatalyst has also a recyclable ability of ∼95 % of its initial photoactivity after the fifth experimental run. Therefore, the augmented light harvesting, surface texture, as well as superb carrier separation represent a key role in the performance of Ag 2 O/YVO 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current Salt Lake Industry, the dodecyl morpholine (DMP) organic flotation agent is widely used, and bring an enormous harm to the fragile ecological aquatic environment. In this work, a green and eco-friendly photocatalytic technique has been attempted to tackle the environmental crisis in the Plateau Salt Lake. Here, WO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 series of composites (WO/gCN-X) with different mass ratio of W/C were prepared by heat treatment and following the hydrothermal reaction. The construction of WO/gCN-X heterojunction promoted the photo-degradation efficiency of DMP under the sunlight irradiation dramatically. The optimized WO/gCN-5 sample achieved an impressive DMP degradation efficiency rate of 73 % within 60 min light irradiation, increasing 4.1- and 3.9-fold of WO 3 and g-C 3 N 4 , respectively. Meanwhile, WO/gCN-5 sample presented excellent cycling stability, which has important directive for the practical application. Such a dramatically enhancement is largely due to the construction of Z-scheme heterojunction between WO 3 and g-C 3 N 4 , which can efficient suppress the recombination of photo-excited charge carriers and promote the redox ability simultaneously. Certainly, its bigger specific surface area and stronger optical harvesting capability also play a positive role. This research offers a new perceptiveness for the construction of a promising photocatalysts with perfect performance for removing flotation agent in Salt Lake Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new quaternary tin polychalcogenide K2BaSnSe5 has been synthesized by high temperature solid‐state reaction. It crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group P21/c of the monoclinic system with cell constants a=11.948(2) Å, b=10.367(2) Å, c=9.2902(19) Å, β=91.33(3)°, and V=1150.4(4) Å3. The compound features an interesting zero‐dimensional structure consisting of SnSe5 units, made up of SnSe4 tetrahedra and [Se2] unit, with K+, Ba2+ cations locating in the interstitial sites for charge‐balance. Diffuse reflectance spectrum indicates semiconducting property with an optical band gap of 1.45 eV. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the band gap of the title compound is determined by [SnSe5] units, and the title compound has a large birefringence of 0.28 at wavelength 1.06 μm, which implies that K2BaSnSe5 may be an intriguing photoelectronic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the unique synergistic effect, dinuclear‐metal‐molecule‐catalysts (DMCs) show excellent performance in catalytic fields. However, for overall photocatalytic CO2 reaction (CO2RR), it is still a challenge to construct well‐matched photosensitizer (PS) components for DMCs‐based photocatalysts. Inorganic‐quantum‐dot PS possesses capacities of multiple exciton generation and catalyzing water oxidation but is incompatible with DMCs. In contrast, organic PS can be covalently linked with DMCs but inescapable of using sacrificial electron donors. For overall photocatalytic CO2RR, organic–inorganic dual‐photosensitizing system might be a promising candidate. Herein, we employed covalent‐linking and electrostatic‐driven approaches to construct the self‐assembly of pyrene‐sensitized Co2L DMCs (Py‐Co2L) and perovskite (PVK) quantum dots, i.e., PVK@[Py‐Co2L]. Using H2O as an electron donor, PVK@[Py‐Co2L] realized 105.24 μmol ⋅ g−1⋅h−1 CO yield in photocatalytic CO2RR, much higher than PVK (15.44 μmol ⋅ g−1⋅h−1) and PVK@Co2L (32.30 μmol ⋅ g−1 ⋅ h−1), ascribing to the efficient photogenerated charge separation and transfer. The experimental results and theoretical investigations demonstrated that the pyrene linked on Co2L boosted the electron delivery from PVK to DMCs. Besides, this strategy could also be extended to the photocatalytic H2 evolution coupled with alcohol oxidation. As a proof‐of‐concept, our work lightens the integration of DMCs, organic and inorganic PS components, promoting the development of photocatalysis without sacrificial electron donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hantzsch ester (HEH) is a bench‐stable compound used in hydrogenation and photoinduced reactions, where it acts as a photoreductant and an electron donor. In this study, we describe a new use of this classical reductant in the visible‐light‐induced desulfurative coupling of alkyl benzothiazolyl sulfides with electron‐deficient alkenes/alkynes via activation with base additives. C(sp3)─S scission is achieved through catalyst‐free HEH anion‐mediated reactions and organo‐photocatalysis. The synthetic utility is illustrated with several examples of derivatization of natural products, including monosaccharides. In addition, mechanistic investigations reveal that the HEH anion acts as a photoreductant in catalyst‐free reactions and as a sacrificial reductant in the organo‐photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to its prominent π‐delocalization and stability, vinylene linkage holds great merits in the construction of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with promising semiconducting properties. However, carbon‐carbon double bond formation reaction always exhibits relatively low reversibility, unfavorable for the formation of high crystalline frameworks through self‐error correction and assembling processes. In this work, we report a heteroatom‐tuned strategy to build up a series of two‐dimensional (2D) vinylene‐linked COFs by Knoevenagel condensation of an electron‐deficient methylthiazolyl‐based monomer with different triformyl substituted (hetero−)aromatic derivatives. The resulting COFs show high‐quality periodic mesoporous structures with high surface areas. Embedding heteroatoms into the backbones enables significantly improving their crystallinity, and finely tailoring their semiconducting structures. Upon visible light stimulation, one of the as‐prepared COFs with donor‐π‐acceptor structure could deliver a nearly seven‐fold increase in the catalytic activity of hydrogen generation as compared with the other two. Meanwhile, in combination with high crystallinity and the matched conduction band energy level, such kind of COFs can be able to selectively generate singlet oxygen and superoxide radicals in a high ratio of up to 30 : 1, allowing for catalyzing aerobic thioanisole oxidation in distinctly tunable activities through the substituent electronic effect of the substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dichloromethane, as a readily available and inexpensive C1 synthon is proposed as a powerful building block for cyclopropanation of alkenes under mild conditions. Herein, we report a highly efficient and versatile dual photoredox system, involving a nickel aminopyridine coordination complex and a photocatalyst, for the cyclopropanation of aromatic olefins using dichloromethane, under visible‐light irradiation. The cyclopropanation protocol has been successfully applied at gram scale. Mechanistic studies suggest a Ni(II) pyridyl radical complex as the key intermediate for the homolytic cleavage of the Csp3−Cl bond, generating a chloromethyl radical that is captured by the olefin coupling partner. Our findings also highlight the versatility of this methodology. By directing the radical/polar crossover process, we were able to selectively drive the reaction towards either the formation of cyclopropyl derivatives or the corresponding non‐cyclic alkyl chloride products. The methodology also successfully apply to geminal dichloroalkanes, including the formation of spiro[2,2] compounds. Moreover, our methodology extends to the synthesis of deuterium‐labelled cyclopropanes, demonstrating its utility in isotopic labelling and broadening its applicability in chemical synthesis and drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controllable formation of a built‐in electric field (IEF) can effectively separate photogenerated electrons and holes and optimize the band structure of a material, thus improving its photocatalytic performance. Here, a novel type of defective metal‐organic framework (MOF), i.e., an MIL‐125(Ti)@Ti‐Ce‐MOF yolk‐shell Z‐scheme heterojunction, is synthesized using a simple ion‐etching‐coupled reconstruction method. By controlling the concentration of ligand defects within the MOF heterojunction, the strength of the IEF within the heterojunction can be effectively regulated. Moreover, the experimental and theoretical results demonstrated that ligand defects within the Z‐scheme heterojunction structure can enhance the efficiency of photogenerated carrier separation and improve the transport capacity by regulating the IEF. The photocatalytic tetracycline (TC) degradation performance of the resultant MIL‐125(Ti)@Ti‐Ce‐MOF yolk‐shell heterojunction is ≈52.5‐ and 5.5‐fold higher than those of Ti‐Ce‐MOF and MIL‐125(Ti), respectively, indicating the efficient spatial charge separation due to the enhanced IEF. This study reveals the precise control of the IEF over the MIL‐125(Ti)@Ti‐Ce‐MOF yolk‐shell Z‐scheme heterojunction, elucidating the relationship between the IEF and ligand defect concentration and promoting the photocatalytic performances of MOF@MOF‐based catalysts via density functional theory and related experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cleavage of double bonds in alkenes constitutes an integral process in converting feedstock materials into high-value synthetic intermediates. Well-known examples such as the oxidative cleavage of olefins and olefin metathesis only facilitate the synthesis of oxygen-containing compounds and the recombination of olefins. Therefore, it is appealing to extend C=C double bond cleavage to yield more abundant transformations. Herein, we report a novel photocatalytic approach for the deconstructive carboxylation of alkenes with CO2 for the synthesis of carboxylic acids in the absence of transition metals. Compared with reported carboxylations with CO2 during which carbon numbers are typically increased, we achieve the exchange of carbon dioxide with one of the carbons of the alkene double bond, thus providing carboxylic acids with unchanged carbon numbers when terminal alkenes are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the synthesis of functionalized three-dimensional benzophenone analogues derived from [2.2]paracyclophane (pCp). The potential use of these compounds as photocatalysts is disclosed. Benzophenone and its derivatives are well-known photoactive compounds that have been extensively employed over the years as catalysts to promote a variety of transformations activated by light. The development of differently substituted three-dimensional versions of such compounds may significantly expand the range of their applications in photocatalysis. Exploitation of the planar chirality of substituted paracyclophanes may also lead to significant innovations in different fields. [2.2]Paracyclophane-based benzophenone derivatives incorporating reactive ester or amide functions at their pseudo-gem position are successfully prepared in a selective manner. Examples of both racemic and enantiopure compounds are reported. As a proof of concept, the catalytic activities of the newly synthesized molecules are compared to that of benzophenone in a known photooxidation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the emerging field of bismuth redox catalysis, the catalytic formation of C−C bonds using aryl halides would be highly desirable; yet such a process remains a synthetic challenge. Herein, we present a chemoselective bismuth‐photocatalyzed activation and subsequent coupling of (hetero)aryl iodides with pyrrole derivatives to access C(sp2)−C(sp2) linkages through C−H functionalization. This unique reactivity is the result of the bismuth complex featuring two redox state‐dependent interactions with light, which 1) activates the Bi(I) complex for oxidative addition via MLCT, and 2) promotes the homolytic cleavage of aryl Bi(III) intermediates through a LLCT process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small library of N‐arylphenothiazines, N‐arylbenzo[b]phenothiazines and N,N‐diarylphenazines has been synthesized as strongly reducing organophotocatalysts without the need for sacrificial reagents or electrochemistry. Their opto‐electronic properties and their suitability as organophotoredox catalysts for the efficient activation of olefins was investigated using the addition of methanol to α‐methylstyrene as a model reaction. The findings were supported by DFT calculations. Three photocatalysts were identified that allowed quantitative yields with 10 mol % catalyst loading and 20 h irradiation by a 365 nm LED. The catalyst loading was gradually reduced to 0.5 mol % and the irradiation time was reduced to only 20 min. These experiments revealed that N,N‐diisobutyl‐4′‐(10H‐phenothiazin‐10‐yl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐amine is the most efficient photocatalyst among the N‐arylphenothiazines. This chromophore combines high electron density introduced by the diisobutylamino phenyl group with high absorptivity at 365 nm caused by the phenylene bridge to the phenothiazine core. In an attempt to shift the excitation wavelength into the visible light range for selectivity and sustainability purposes (potential use of sunlight as a light source), N‐arylbenzo[b]phenothiazines N,N‐diarylphenazines were designed that exhibit a red‐shifted and broad absorbance shoulder into the visible range, but only N,N‐diarylphenazines allow photocatalysis and the one‐electron activation of alkenes by visible light (450 nm LED). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α‐Tertiary primary amines (α‐TPAs) bearing a fully substituted carbon center adjacent to the N‐unsubstituted amino group (−NH2) exhibit unique biochemical and physicochemical activities. While due to the sterically congested structure and strong nucleophilic and alkaline natures of these primary amine compounds, their facile synthesis remains an inherent challenge. Traditional methods commonly rely on tedious N‐protection/deprotection operations and highly reactive organometallic reagents, thus leading to poor atom and step‐economy and limited functional group compatibility. Modern photoredox catalysis offers a robust tool to prepare such structurally unique and synthetically valuable amine architectures via a radical pathway under extremely mild conditions. In this review, the recent progress in photocatalytic synthesis of α‐TPAs is systematically reviewed, and the reaction scope, limitations, and mechanisms for the reactions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photochemical CO2 reduction using ubiquitous sunlight akin to natural photosynthesis is an effective approach for conversion of renewable energy into useful chemical feedstock. Driven by the need for earth‐abundant, inexpensive, and sustainable photocatalysts with practical applicability, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as a new generation of molecularly defined semiconductors with tunable optoelectronic properties. These reticular frameworks with highly ordered, porous and crystalline structures can be tailor‐made by covalently combining organic building blocks to target specific functions. To date, numerous COFs have been reported, which show promising activity for photocatalytic CO2 reduction allowing to derive structure–property–function relationships. In this review, the different reported strategies are comprehensively analyzed and categorized for active site engineering in COF photocatalysts and the synthetic rationale and resulting catalytic activity for each approach are discussed. The recent advancements in terms of tailored photocatalyst design are then critically assessed, aspects of advanced materials characterization are analyzed, and future perspectives and challenges for the field are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even distribution of core–shell heterojunction on porous catalyst supports is promising to get the super‐catalysts, yet laborious preparation hinders the wide application. A novel strategy of urea enzymolysis‐induced ions replacement is proposed for one‐pot loading of Bi12O17Cl2@Bi48Al2O75 core–shell heterojunction onto porous Al2O3 nanorod (named as Al2O3‐Bi12O17Cl2@Bi48Al2O75). The clever combination of urea enzymolysis and precipitation reactions that consume the ions generated in urea enzymolysis can switch the “on‐off” of urease, and thus allow the precise controlling of the concentration and existence time of the ions, as well as ions replacement. It is the urea enzymolysis‐induced ions replacing strategy that can generate the unique structure of Al2O3‐Bi12O17Cl2@Bi48Al2O75, and it is the distinctive structure that can get the selectivity of 96% benzaldehyde with 90% benzyl alcohol (BA) conversion in the photocatalytic oxidation of BA. The ions replacement, the growth of Al2O3‐Bi12O17Cl2@Bi48Al2O75, and the photocatalytic mechanism are investigated in detail. This work highlights a novel and convenient strategy for one‐pot loading core–shell heterojunction onto porous nanorod support, unveils a fresh biosynthesis of nanomaterials with elaborate structure, and thus paves the way for wide application of elaborate nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anchoring groups play an important role in the assembly of functional molecules onto semiconductor substrates for dye‐sensitized photocatalysis. In addition to directly influencing the adsorption stability, anchoring groups significantly impact the efficiency of electron or hole injection into the substrate, which is a crucial step for photocatalytic reactions. Most reported dye‐sensitized photocatalytic systems, including semiconductor nanoparticles and photoelectrochemical cells, are prepared using the carboxylic or phosphonic acid anchors. The systems prepared with these conventional anchors usually suffer from low adsorption stability in aqueous media. Alternatively, pyridine has emerged as an anchoring group of photosensitizers and molecular catalysts in the construction of photocatalytic systems. The resulting semiconductor nanoparticles and photoelectrodes show superior adsorption stability in aqueous media, providing a simple and efficient way to sensitize the metal or metal oxide substrate. This review focuses on the recent advances of such a pyridine anchoring strategy in the assembly of photosensitizers and molecular catalysts for photocatalytic applications, mainly including photocatalytic water oxidation, reduction, and splitting. The further exploration and understanding of the pyridine‐anchoring method are believed to boost the development of advanced dye‐sensitized photocatalytic devices and technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of sulfoxides has long attracted considerable interest due to their pivotal role in organic synthesis, pharmaceutics and environmental protection. Oxidation of the corresponding sulfides is recognized as the most effective strategy. Traditional oxidation methods, however, fall short of the growing demands of green chemistry. Photocatalytic aerobic oxidation has thus garnered attention, employing the greenest and most sustainable oxidants—oxygen or air—and sunlight as the energy source. Nevertheless, these reactions are typically conducted in potentially pollutive organic solvents rather than in the greenest solvent, water. To facilitate this organic transformation in aqueous phase, molecular reactors that can encapsulate reactants within their confined pores and facilitate photocatalytic reactions have been developed recently. This Concept article summarizes the development of molecular reactors for the photocatalytic oxidation of sulfides and provides perspectives for the design and construction of effective photocatalytic molecular reactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are emerging as promising heterogeneous photocatalysts for organic transformations, owing to their fascinating optical properties, excellent recyclability, and customizable chemical structures. To maximize the photocatalytic activity of COFs, various strategies have been explored, including metal complexation, construction of donor‐acceptor structures, modification of functional groups, hybridization with inorganic semiconductors, and linkage conversion. Among these, linkage conversion has proved to be particularly effective, driving the production of numerous value‐added organic chemicals. In this concept article, we present a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in linkage conversion and highlight the most enlightening examples that have adopted such a strategy to boost the photocatalytic capabilities of COFs for organic transformations. It is anticipated that this concept will assist researchers in designing novel COFs with multifunctional linkages, paving the way towards their broader application in organic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a comprehensive review of recent advancements in photocatalytic and electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction using titanium dioxide catalysts. The basic concepts of light absorption, electron transport, and reduction processes are introduced in this paper, which also delves into the specifics of photocatalytic and electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide. The paper highlights the key applications and benefits of titanium dioxide, including its strong stability, outstanding light absorption capacity, and good electron transport performance, in the photocatalytic and electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, it examines the impact of various surface modification techniques on catalytic performance, as well as the effects of various titanium dioxide catalyst forms on catalytic activity and selectivity in carbon dioxide reduction. The in‐depth analysis exhibit promising catalytic properties and hold significant potential for future advancements. However, some obstacles still need to be overcome, such as increasing catalytic activity and selectivity while minimizing energy dissipation. In order to improve catalytic performance and efficiency, future research should prioritize the optimization of structural design and surface modification techniques for catalysts. Additionally, the paper provides a scientific foundation for accomplishing sustainable carbon conversion, it also calls for additional experimental and theoretical research into the mechanism of action for titanium dioxide catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photonic efficiency measurements of the photoeffects at semiconductor surfaces for pollutant abatement and value‐added product generation (e. g. H2 in the hydrogen evolution reaction, HER) are usually carried out under continuous irradiation of the catalyst. In the last decades, Controlled Periodic Illumination (CPI) was proposed as a way to increase the photonic efficiency of irradiated semiconductor systems. CPI consists in the modulation of the incident radiant power, alternating light and dark periods with given duty cycle (γ), intensity (I) and frequency (f). The rationale underlying the use of CPI to enhance photonic efficiency is the exploitation of dark periods to allow slow reactions proceed, to induce new reactions or to free up space on the surface of the catalyst. In this short review, we will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of some of the works published so far on the abatement of pollutants and the production of hydrogen using CPI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]