Probing the influence of substrate binding on photocatalytic dehalogenation with a heteroleptic supramolecular [M4La2Lb2] square containing PDI photosensitizers as ligands†

Photoredox catalysis is a valuable tool in a large variety of chemical reactions. Main challenges still to be overcome are photodegradation of photocatalysts and substrates, short lifetimes of reactive intermediates, and selectivity issues due to unwanted side reactions. A potential solution to these challenges is the pre-organization of the photosensitizer, substrate and (co)-catalyst in supramolecular self-assembled structures. In such architectures, (organic) dyes can be stabilized, and higher selectivity could potentially be achieved through pre-organizing desired reaction partners via non-covalent interactions. Perylene diimide (PDI) is an organic dye, which can be readily reduced to its mono- and dianion. Excitation of both anions leads to highly reducing excited states, which are able to reduce a variety of substrates via single electron transfer. The incorporation of PDI into a heteroleptic [M₄L^a₂L^b₂] supramolecular square has been recently demonstrated. Herein we investigate its photophysical properties and demonstrate that incorporated PDI indeed features photocatalytic activity. Initial results suggest that the pre-organisation by binding positively affects the outcome.