Evaluating heteroleptic copper(I)-based complexes bearing π-extended diimines in different photocatalytic processes

Abstract

A series of 12 new copper-based photocatalysts of the type Cu(N^N)(P^P)BF4 were synthesized bearing π-extended diimine ligands. The complexes have red shifted absorptions and larger extinction coefficients than complexes prepared with a parent diimine, dmp. The complexes were evaluated for their ability to promote three different photochemical transformations. Although the complexes were inactive in a reductive PCET process, the complexes afforded good yields in both SET and ET processes. Interestingly, homoleptic copper-complexes derived from the π-extended diimines were significantly more active in SET processes than analogous complexes with simpler diimines.