The Dark Side of Lead-Free Metal Halide Nanocrystals: Substituent-Modulated Photocatalytic Activity in Benzyl Bromide Reduction

ACS Energy Lett. 2023 May 30;8(6):2789-2798. doi: 10.1021/acsenergylett.3c00771. eCollection 2023 Jun 9.

Abstract

We illustrate here the high photocatalytic activity of sustainable lead-free metal halide nanocrystals (NCs), namely, Cs3Sb2Br9 NCs, in the reduction of p-substituted benzyl bromides in the absence of a cocatalyst. The electronic properties of the benzyl bromide substituents and the substrate affinity to the NC surface determine the selectivity in C-C homocoupling under visible light irradiation. This photocatalyst can be reused for at least three cycles and preserves its good performance with a turnover number of ca. 105,000.