Donor-Acceptor Viologens with Through-Space Conjugation for Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalysis

A series of novel donor-acceptor (D-A) type viologens with through-space conjugation (TSC) are synthesized. The synergistic effect of D-A conjugation and TSC endow these compounds with a narrower energy gap, excellent redox properties, strong absorption in the visible range (up to 450 nm), and high efficiency of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). These compounds also exhibit a long-lived charge separation state and stable radical formation. Considering their impressive photophysical and redox properties, TSC viologens with D-A conjugation are explored for visible-light-driven photocatalysis. As a catalyst in oxidative coupling reactions under visible light, compound 9 can achieve a yield of 94%, attributed to its strong ICT effect. Additionally, hybridized into graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), compound 9 enhances hydrogen production performance under visible light, achieving an H2 generation rate of 4102 mu mol h-1g-1. This study highlights the potential applications of TSC viologens in photocatalytic systems.