Issue 48, 2023

Atomically accurate site-specific ligand tailoring of highly acid- and alkali-resistant Ti(iv)-based metallamacrocycle for enhanced CO2 photoreduction

Abstract

Skillfully engineering surface ligands at specific sites within robust clusters presents both a formidable challenge and a captivating opportunity. Herein we unveil an unprecedented titanium-oxo cluster: a calix[8]arene-stabilized metallamacrocycle (Ti16L4), uniquely crafted through the fusion of four “core–shell” {Ti4@(TBC[8])(L)} subunits with four oxalate moieties. Notably, this cluster showcases an exceptional level of chemical stability, retaining its crystalline integrity even when immersed in highly concentrated acid (1 M HNO3) and alkali (20 M NaOH). The macrocycle's surface unveils four specific, customizable μ2-bridging sites, primed to accommodate diverse carboxylate ligands. This adaptability is highlighted through deliberate modifications achieved by alternating crystal soaking in alkali and carboxylic acid solutions. Furthermore, Ti16L4 macrocycles autonomously self-assemble into one-dimensional nanotubes, which subsequently organize into three distinct solid phases, contingent upon the specific nature of the four μ2-bridging ligands. Notably, the Ti16L4 exhibit a remarkable capacity for photocatalytic activity in selectively reducing CO2 to CO. Exploiting the macrocycle's modifiable shell yields a significant boost in performance, achieving an exceptional maximum CO release rate of 4.047 ± 0.243 mmol g−1 h−1. This study serves as a striking testament to the latent potential of precision-guided surface ligand manipulation within robust clusters, while also underpinning a platform for producing microporous materials endowed with a myriad of surface functionalities.

Graphical abstract: Atomically accurate site-specific ligand tailoring of highly acid- and alkali-resistant Ti(iv)-based metallamacrocycle for enhanced CO2 photoreduction

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
11 Nov 2023
Accepted
20 Nov 2023
First published
30 Nov 2023
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 14280-14289

Atomically accurate site-specific ligand tailoring of highly acid- and alkali-resistant Ti(IV)-based metallamacrocycle for enhanced CO2 photoreduction

Y. Tian, L. Dai, W. Mu, W. Yu, J. Yan and C. Liu, Chem. Sci., 2023, 14, 14280 DOI: 10.1039/D3SC06046B

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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