Optically Controlled Recovery and Recycling of Homogeneous Organocatalysts Enabled by Photoswitches
Abstract
We address a critical challenge of recovering and recycling homogeneous organocatalysts by designing photoswitchable catalyst structures that display a reversible solubility change in response to light. Initially insoluble catalysts are UV‐switched to a soluble isomeric state, which catalyzes the reaction, then back‐isomerizes to the insoluble state upon completion of the reaction to be filtered and recycled. The molecular design principles that allow for the drastic solubility change over 10 times between the isomeric states, 87 % recovery by the light‐induced precipitation, and multiple rounds of catalyst recycling are revealed. This proof of concept will open up opportunities to develop highly recyclable homogeneous catalysts that are important for the synthesis of critical compounds in various industries, which is anticipated to significantly reduce environmental impact and costs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Feb 20, 2023
- Source ID
- 10.1002/ange.202300723
Entities
People
- Danielle Joubran
- Grace G D Han
- Joshua Wan
- Klaus Schmidt‐rohr
- Qianfeng Qiu
- Xiang Li
- Zhenhuan Sun
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
- Brandeis University
- Division of Materials Research
- National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences