The research group led by Professor Fang Yu at Hunan University has successfully developed a novel catalyst, PCC@THF-OOH, which achieves light-dark catalytic coupling. This breakthrough is based on a phenothiazine-based octahedral porous coordination cage (PCC-6-Zn), where the zinc metal center selectively generates singlet oxygen for oxidation reactions under light conditions [1]. This process enables the selective oxidation of C(sp3)-H bonds, facilitating the synthesis of various organic hydroperoxides.

Green & Efficient Organic Oxidation with PCC@THF-OOH

PCC@THF-OOH functions as a highly efficient and environmentally friendly oxidant. The interaction between molecular cages and organic hydroperoxides allows for the conversion of diverse organic oxidation reactions even in the absence of light, including:

• Indole thiocyanation reaction
• Thioether oxidation
• Thiol self-polymerization
• Synthesis of 1,2,4-thiadiazoles

Compared to traditional peroxide-based oxidants, PCC@THF-OOH exhibits superior oxidative ability, making it highly valuable for organic synthesis and targeted therapy [2,3].

Application examples

Indole thiocyanation reaction

Oxidation of phenyl sulfide

Thiol self-polymerization

Synthesis of 1,2,4-thiadiazole

Rapid and efficient synthesis of key structures of drugs with anti-tumor activity

Dark reaction application steps:

• Wrap the reaction tube with tin foil to protect it from light, take an appropriate amount of PCC@THF-OOH dark catalyst (10 mg, stored in 1 mL THF solution) sealed in an ampoule bottle, and prepare for dark catalysis;
• Add a certain amount of substrate to the reaction flask, stir for 1 h at room temperature under air conditions, and then monitor the reaction using TLC.

Fang Yu is currently a professor at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Hunan University. He received a master's degree in chemistry from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2010. In March 2014, he graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo, Japan. From 2014 to 2015, he continued to engage in postdoctoral research at the University of Tokyo, Japan. From April 2015 to September 2019, he engaged in postdoctoral research at Texas A&M University in the United States. During his graduate studies and postdoctoral work, he mainly focused on the research of "graded pore coordination materials" (pore size 2-50 nanometers), focusing on the construction of new porous coordination cages (PCC) and mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (mMOF) , adjust its pore structure, control the loading and assembly of guest molecules in the pores, and make progress in improving the conversion and loading of energy gases and anti-cancer nanotherapy.

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