Achieving specificity in catalytic reactions by mimicking the active sites and substrate-binding cavities of enzymes is a significant scientific challenge. Professor Fang Yu's research group at Hunan University has developed an innovative supramolecular photocatalytic material, PCC-6-M, based on phenothiazine and octahedral porous coordination cages. This material enables the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation pathways via its metal center. Its applications in diverse photocatalytic oxidation reactions have demonstrated groundbreaking potential.

The separation and transfer of photogenerated charges are critical for enhancing photocatalytic performance. Through optical and electrochemical characterizations, Professor Fang's team discovered that PCC-6-M exhibits significant differences in charge separation and transfer efficiency. This unique property allows the metal center to regulate oxygen activation pathways effectively.

To confirm the influence of the metal center on ROS generation pathways, the group performed electron spin resonance (ESR) tests under visible light. Using TEMP and DMPO as probes, they verified the production of singlet oxygen $(^1O_2)$ and superoxide radicals $(O_2^{•−})$, respectively.

• PCC-6-Zn: Generates $^1O_2$ exclusively.
• PCC-6-Ni: Produces $O_2^{•−}$ exclusively.
• PCC-6-Co: Uniquely generates a specific ratio of $^1O_2$ and $O_2^{•−}$, mimicking enzyme-like functionality.

This tunable ROS production capability is expected to enable highly specific catalytic oxidation reactions.

Figure 1 PCC-6-M exist (a)TEMP and (b)DMPO ESR spectrum in the presence of [1][1]

Fang Yu is currently a professor at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Hunan University. He received a master's degree in chemistry from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2010. In March 2014, he graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo, Japan. From 2014 to 2015, he continued to engage in postdoctoral research at the University of Tokyo, Japan. From April 2015 to September 2019, he engaged in postdoctoral research at Texas A&M University in the United States. During his graduate studies and postdoctoral work, he mainly focused on the research of "graded pore coordination materials" (pore size 2-50 nanometers), focusing on the construction of new porous coordination cages (PCC) and mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (mMOF) , adjust its pore structure, control the loading and assembly of guest molecules in the pores, and make progress in improving the conversion and loading of energy gases and anti-cancer nanotherapy.

J&K Scientific exclusively supplies three types of PCC-6-M supramolecular photocatalysts developed by Professor Fang Yu's research group.

Product Advantages:

• Adjustable ROS Types: Tailor ROS production to specific reaction needs.
• Stable and Easy to Store: Ensures long-term usability and reliability.
• Wide Applications: Offers efficient performance in diverse photocatalytic and oxidation reactions.

Product list

References

1. Yuan J P, Guan Z J, Lin H Y, et al. Modeling the Enzyme Specificity by Molecular Cages through Regulating Reactive Oxygen Species Evolution[J]. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2023: e202303896.