Engineering an iridium-containing metal-organic molecular capsule for induced-fit geometrical conversion and dual catalysis

By introducing photoactive fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium moieties as a ligand backbone to constrain the coordination geometry of cobalt ions, a multifunctional Ir2Co3-type capsule was achieved and showed induced-fit capsule-capsule conversion by cooperative binding one carbonate anion with the equatorial Co(II) centers. The capsule combined photocatalysis and transition metal activation synergistically and exhibited efficient catalytic ability on visible light activated alpha-trichloromethylation.