Heterogeneous Photocatalysts for Light-Mediated Reversible Deactivation Radical Polymerization

Heterogeneous photocatalysis combines the benefits of light-mediated chemistry with that of a catalytic platform that facilitates re-use of (often expensive) photocatalysts. This provides significant opportunities towards more economical, sustainable, safe, and user-friendly chemical syntheses of both small and macromolecular compounds. This contribution outlines recent developments in the design of heterogenous photocatalysts and their use to mediate polymerizations. We outline four classes of heterogeneous photocatalysts in detail: Nanoparticles, conjugated and non-conjugated polymer networks, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and functionalized solid supports. Heterogeneous photocatalysis can increase the sustainability of photochemistry by providing simple means for catalyst recovery and reuse. This review explores four prevalent classes of these materials: Photocatalytic Nanoparticles, polymer networks, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), and immobilized photocatalysts on solid supports in their use for light-mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization.image

Automated summary

Heterogeneous photocatalysis combines light chemistry with catalytic platforms to enable re-use of photocatalysts, providing economic, sustainable, safe, and user-friendly chemical syntheses. This review outlines recent developments in heterogeneous photocatalyst design and their use in mediating polymerizations. Four prevalent classes of materials, including nanoparticles, polymer networks, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), and immobilized photocatalysts on solid supports, are explored for their potential in light-mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization.