[Fe(bpy)3]2+-based porous organic polymers with boosted photocatalytic activity for recyclable organic transformations

Abstract

Three rigid metal porous organic polymers (POPs) based on an iron(II) complex are prepared from the condensation reactions of an octahedral [Fe(bpy)₃]²⁺-cored hexaaldehyde and three rod-like aromatic diamines. The POPs have been studied as the first series of earth-abundant metal complex-connected photocatalysts for heterogeneous visible light-driven oxidation of benzyl halides and enantioselective α-alkylation of aldehydes. Both yields and enantioselectivities of the reactions catalyzed by one of the POPs, which possesses the largest porosity, rival or even surpass those of the reactions homogeneously catalyzed by control [Fe(bpy)₃]²⁺ complexes. Moreover, POP catalysts are highly stable and exhibit a considerable activity after recycling 10 times.