Molecular‐Level π‐Stacking Engineering in Dative B←N Frameworks for Superior Photocatalytic H <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Production

ABSTRACT The photocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) from O 2 and H 2 O represents a sustainable alternative to the energy‐intensive anthraquinone process. However, achieving efficient photocatalysis requires precise control over structure–activity relationships, which remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a molecular engineering strategy that leverages precise tuning of intermolecular π‐stacking in three single‐crystalline dative B←N frameworks (BNF‐75, ‐76, and ‐77). By systematically modulating the planarity of the B‐acceptors, we achieved a progressive decrease in the root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) of the B‐acceptors from 0.463 Å in BNF‐75 to 0.201 Å in BNF‐77. The BNF‐77 exhibits broadened visible‐light absorption, enhanced charge separation and transport, and an outstanding H 2 O 2 production rate of 5684.6 µmol·g −1 ·h −1 under visible light without sacrificial agents or metal cocatalysts (λ &gt; 420 nm). Simple mechanical grinding for particle‐size reduction further elevates the rate to a remarkable 9451.0 µmol·g −1 ·h −1 , positioning BNF‐77 among the top‐performing crystalline photocatalysts based on dative B←N bonds. Integrated mechanistic studies reveal a synergistic mechanism: the dative B←N bond extends light harvesting and promotes charge separation, while the engineered tight π‐stacking constructs efficient charge‐transport highways and facilitates the two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) pathway, with superoxide radicals (•O 2 − ) as the key intermediate.

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Journal
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Published
2026-05-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.5657008
Primary Topic
Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
Type
article
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0.00

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article

Molecular‐Level π‐Stacking Engineering in Dative B←N Frameworks for Superior Photocatalytic H 2 O 2 Production

Chenxin Chen, Liangji Chen, Yixuan Lin, Haolong Chen et al.
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
article

Molecular‐Level π‐Stacking Engineering in Dative B←N Frameworks for Superior Photocatalytic H 2 O 2 Production

Chenxin Chen, Liangji Chen, Yixuan Lin, Haolong Chen, Gaoyan Lan, Yixin Lai, Shengchang Xiang, Zhangjing Zhang, Kaibang Chen, Ruyu Zhang, Banglin Chen, Furong Yuan
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT The photocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) from O 2 and H 2 O represents a sustainable alternative to the energy‐intensive anthraquinone process. However, achieving efficient photocatalysis requires precise control over structure–activity relationships, which remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a molecular engineering strategy that leverages precise tuning of intermolecular π‐stacking in three single‐crystalline dative B←N frameworks (BNF‐75, ‐76, and ‐77). By systematically modulating the planarity of the B‐acceptors, we achieved a progressive decrease in the root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) of the B‐acceptors from 0.463 Å in BNF‐75 to 0.201 Å in BNF‐77. The BNF‐77 exhibits broadened visible‐light absorption, enhanced charge separation and transport, and an outstanding H 2 O 2 production rate of 5684.6 µmol·g −1 ·h −1 under visible light without sacrificial agents or metal cocatalysts (λ &gt; 420 nm). Simple mechanical grinding for particle‐size reduction further elevates the rate to a remarkable 9451.0 µmol·g −1 ·h −1 , positioning BNF‐77 among the top‐performing crystalline photocatalysts based on dative B←N bonds. Integrated mechanistic studies reveal a synergistic mechanism: the dative B←N bond extends light harvesting and promotes charge separation, while the engineered tight π‐stacking constructs efficient charge‐transport highways and facilitates the two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) pathway, with superoxide radicals (•O 2 − ) as the key intermediate.

Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Fujian Normal University (CN), Ministry of Education (PT)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
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