Active Molecular Units in Metal Organic Frameworks for Artificial Photosynthesis

Abstract

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are polymeric solid-state coordination compounds that can link photoactive and catalytically active molecular entities that maintain their activity and mechanism within the 3D structure, resembling the enzyme complex in natural photosynthesis. This review categorizes such photocatalytically active MOFs according to their structural properties and location of photosensitizer (PS) and catalyst (CAT) in the following types with respect to linker and secondary building unit (SBU): I) the PS-CAT are linker and SBU, II) PS and CAT are different linkers, III) PS and CAT are bound to the SBUs, IV) PS and CAT are bound to linker or SBU as a dyad, type V) PS or CAT pair are assembled within the pores. Furthermore, all reported studies of artificial photosynthesis are being summarized in the context of light-driven H2 evolution, CO2 reduction, overall water splitting and water oxidation as well as selective oxidations such as alcohol and amine oxidation. Additionally, this review gives an overview about stability and repair strategies.