Ruthenium(II)-cored supramolecular organic framework-mediated recyclable visible light photoreduction of azides to amines and cascade formation of lactams

Ru(bpy)(3)](2+)-cored supramolecular organic framework SMOF-1, assembled from a [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+)-derived hexaarmed molecule and cucurbit[8]uril, has been demonstrated to heterogeneously catalyze visible light-induced reduction of phenyl, benzyl, 2-phenylethyl and 3-phenylpropyl azides in acetonitrile to produce the corresponding amines in good to high yields. For the last two kinds of azides that bear a CO2Me group at the para-position of the benzene ring, cascade reactions take place to generate the corresponding lactams in high yields. Compared with homogeneous control [Ru(bpy)(3)]Cl-2, SMOF-1 exhibits remarkably increased photocatalysis activity as a result of synergistic effect of the [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) units that form cubic cages to host the azide molecules and related intermediates. Moreover, SMOF-1 displays high recyclability and considerable photocatalysis activity after 3 to 12 runs. (C) 2019 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.