Porous organic cages: a unified platform for homogeneous and heterogeneous nanocatalysis

Abstract

Porous organic cages (POCs) are an emerging class of crystalline nanoporous materials that serve as a unique platform bridging homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, benefiting from their tunable cavity architectures, tailored confined microenvironments, and excellent solution processability. This review highlights diverse applications of POCs in nanocatalysis: (1) purely organic POCs mimic enzyme-like catalysis through cavity confinement effects; (2) metal-ion-embedded POCs demonstrate high selectivity and efficiency in asymmetric synthesis, photocatalysis, thermal catalysis, and electrocatalysis; and (3) metal-cluster-encapsulated POCs composites utilize precise cavity-mediated control over cluster size and electronic structure to significantly enhance the activity and stability of catalytic active sites. Moreover, the dynamic character of POCs facilitates efficient cascade reactions. This review concludes with an updated perspective on this rapidly advancing field.