Photoswitchable Catalytic Divergent Synthesis by a Viologen‐Functionalized Lanthanide‐Organic Tetrahedral Cage

K Ke‐Han Tang (State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou 350002 P.R. China) Y Yu‐Xi Tian (School of Physical Science and Technology Shanghai Tech University Shanghai 201210 P.R. China) F Fan Yin (State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou P. R. China) W Wei‐Hui Zhuang (State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou 350002 P.R. China) S Shao‐Jun Hu (State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou 350002 P.R. China) L Li‐Peng Zhou (State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou P. R. China) J Jian Yang Q Qing‐Fu Sun (State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou P. R. China)

Abstract

Abstract Photoswitchable catalysis presents a significant challenge, particularly in the modulation of reaction pathways. In this study, we describe a redox‐active lanthanide‐organic tetrahedral cage 1 , self‐assembled from a viologen‐functionalised ditopic tridentate ligand and Eu(III) ions. Complexation‐induced charge redistribution and spatial rearrangement of ligands in the assembly endow 1 with distinct photochromic properties and redox activities compared to free ligand L . 1 can serve as a photoswitchable catalyst for divergent chemical transformations of various tetraarylborates, giving biaryls and phenols via photo‐oxidative coupling reaction under 365 nm light irradiation, or producing mono‐arene products through catalytic de‐composition process in the absence of light. This work represents the first example of photoswitchable divergent synthesis by a single self‐assembled coordination cage, paving the way for the design and construction of novel supramolecular edifices with switchable functions.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 34
Published August 18, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

K

Ke‐Han Tang

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou 350002 P.R. China

Y

Yu‐Xi Tian

School of Physical Science and Technology Shanghai Tech University Shanghai 201210 P.R. China

F

Fan Yin

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou P. R. China

W

Wei‐Hui Zhuang

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou 350002 P.R. China

S

Shao‐Jun Hu

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou 350002 P.R. China

L

Li‐Peng Zhou

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou P. R. China

J

Jian Yang

Q

Qing‐Fu Sun

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou P. R. China