In a perspective article with the title: “Mixed-Ligand Metal–Organic Frameworks and Heteroleptic Coordination Cages as Multifunctional Scaffolds - A Comparison”, synthetic strategies to obtain heteroleptic coordination cages were compared with the preparation of multifunctional metal-organic frameworks. This article forms the basis for the experimental studies performed in MOCCA, where the preparation of coordination cages with photosensitizers and catalysts as ligands was tested. This perspective article was published here:
Pullen and G. H. Clever, Acc. Chem. Res., 2018, 51, 3052
In addition to this perspective, an review article as well a book chapter on similar topics have been produced and are currently under review.
A first experimental study has been published: An interpenetrated coordination cage of the formula [Pd4L8] containing organic photosensitizers as ligands (= L) that are assembled with Pd(II) cations was prepared. Its ability to photosensitize the generation of singlet oxygen was demonstrated. Singlet oxygen is used as a reagent in i.e. drug synthesis. This study has been published here:
S. Pullen, S. Löffler, A. Platzek, J. J. Holstein and G. H. Clever, Dalton Trans., 2020, DOI:10.1039/d0dt01674h
The main focus of MOCCA was the synthesis and assembly of ligands containing catalysts and photosensitizers that can be used for photochemical CO2 reduction.
Several of such ligands and cages have been prepared and functional studies are currently ongoing. We expect to be able to publish these results in near future.
