Research Projects

The aim of this project is to push the boundaries of photocatalysis by developing new Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-based photocatalysts that use visible light to drive chemical reactions under mild conditions. Over the past decade, photocatalysis has emerged as a promising field in green chemistry, using visible light to power reactions that traditionally require harsh conditions. While semiconductor photocatalysts have shown potential as recyclable catalysts, they lack the tunable photoredox properties essential for selective and efficient transformations. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) address this limitation by offering high porosity, stability, and a unique capacity for tuning their light-absorption and electronic properties. MOFs can be precisely tailored for specific reactions through the careful choice of metal ions and ligands, making them highly adaptable platforms for catalysis. Our project introduces a novel approach by using a MOF (NH₂-MIL-125) to enable visible-light-promoted energy transfer (EnT) reactions in combination with a transition metal catalyst, specifically Ni(II), without the need for expensive iridium. Preliminary findings show that NH₂-MIL-125 alone can act as the photocatalyst, producing an excited-state Ni(II) complex that enables cross-coupling reactions. Based on this promising result, we plan to extend this system to drive a wider range of Csp³–Csp² and Csp³–Csp³ cross-coupling reactions. Additionally, we will develop MOF-Py-Ba:Ti as a versatile heterogeneous photoredox catalyst, using cocatalysts like Pd, Co, and Cu for a variety of arene and alkene functionalization reactions, including challenging late-stage functionalizations. Our goal is to position MOFs as a superior alternative to traditional homogeneous photocatalysts based on ruthenium, iridium, and organic dyes, as well as previously reported heterogeneous photocatalysts. MOFs are expected to offer advantages in stability, reusability, and functional versatility. From an industrial and environmental perspective, the MOF-based photocatalysts we aim to develop hold significant potential for sustainable applications. Beyond metallaphotocatalysis, the catalysts we design are also expected to be highly effective for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction, an area critical for clean energy. This project has the potential to impact multiple fields within chemistry, including synthesis, materials science, and green catalysis. By developing MOFs with customized properties, we aim to transform both academic and industrial approaches to photocatalysis, fostering further research in the design of sustainable catalysts. The in-depth mechanistic understanding we obtain will provide a valuable foundation for advancing MOF-based photocatalysis, inspiring chemists and practitioners to explore new methods and applications in sustainable chemistry.