Through‐Space Charge Transfer Complexes Based on Terpyridine Bi‐Functionalization for Efficient Solar‐Driven H <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Production
To achieve precise spatial control of donor-acceptor (D-A) stacking and optimize through-space charge transfer (TSCT) for efficient photocatalysis, we develop a novel terpyridine bi-functionalization strategy, which utilizes the dissymmetrical 6- and 4'-functionalization of 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (tpy) scaffold with triphenyltriazine (acceptor) and triphenylamine (donor) units. Using this strategy, we designed and synthesized two ligands, L1 and L2, differing by a single phenylene unit in length. Upon coordination with Zn(II), the D and A units in the resulting complexes S1 and S2 are precisely edited at the molecular level, giving rise to distinct stacking geometries: slip-stacked S1 and co-facially S2. S2 significantly enhances TSCT, resulting in improved visible-light absorption, prolonged charge carrier lifetime, superior charge separation efficiency and achieves a photocatalytic efficiency (2063 µmol g<sup>-1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup>) for H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production that is twice that of S1 without the need for sacrificial agents. This work demonstrates the unique advantages of terpyridine bi-functionalization strategy in constructing photocatalytic materials with tunable TSCT, providing new insights for the design and functional development of supramolecular systems.
Authors
- Manman Dai
- Junjuan Shi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2564-5975)
- He Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6356-1655)
- Xiang Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8350-3775)
- Zhihong Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2785-4948)
- Ming Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5332-0804)
- Ningxu Han (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5135-1175)
Institutions
- National University of Singapore (SG)
- Jilin University (CN)
- Guangzhou University (CN)
- Pearl River Hydraulic Research Institute (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Published
- 2025-12-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202521532
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- People's Government of Jilin Province