Bridging the hydrophobic gap: Visible-light-driven photocatalysis of organic reactions in water with soft-matter nanoreactors

Abstract

Visible-light-driven photocatalysis of organic reactions in water represents a cornerstone of green chemistry, yet its application is often hampered by the poor solubility and stability of organic substrates and catalysts in aqueous media. In this article we highlight recent advances in overcoming these challenges using state-of-the-art self-assembling soft-matter platforms—including micelles, supramolecular nanocapsules, and single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs). When careful designed, these constructs create confined, hydrophobic environments that enhance catalyst stability, substrate solubilization, and reaction efficiency under mild conditions. We show key applications such as amide synthesis and C–X bond activation by photocatalytic micellar systems, reductive cleavages by supramolecular capsules stabilizing photocatalysts, and diverse visible-light-driven photocatalytic transformations by SCNPs serving as tunable enzyme-mimetic nanoreactors. Collectively, these selected examples demonstrate the immense promise of soft-matter nanoreactors for shaping the future of aqueous visible-light-driven photocatalysis.