A Hybrid Catalyst for Light-Driven Green Molecular Transformations

Abstract

This Minireview is focused on the development of hybrid catalysts composed of photosensitizers and a metal complex, especially vitamin B₁₂ derivatives. The semiconductor-metal complex composites are effective photocatalysts for molecular transformations due to the synergistic effect between the two components. The design of a B₁₂ complex for the hybridization with TiO₂ was simple and straightforward-cobyrinic acid, having seven carboxylic groups derived from naturally occurring B₁₂ is stably immobilized on the TiO₂ . By using the hybrid catalysts as mimics of B₁₂ -dependent enzymes, light-driven reactions such as the dechlorination of organic halide pollutants, and radical-mediated isomerization proceeded catalytically. In addition to the enzyme-mimicking reactions, bioinspired reactions were also developed with the hybrid catalyst. The B₁₂ -TiO₂ hybrid catalyst was used for hydrogen evolution and alkene reduction by UV light irradiation, and the cobalt-hydrogen complex (Co-H complex) was considered to be a putative intermediate of the reactions. The multidisciplinary concept for the design of a hybrid catalyst is described in this Minireview.

Keywords: biomimetic synthesis; hybrid catalysts; photochemistry; titanium oxide; vitamin B12.