Visible light-driven excited-state copper-BINAP catalysis for accessing diverse chemical reactions

The use of visible light to drive chemical transformations has a history spanning over a century. However, the development of photo-redox catalysts to efficiently harness light energy is a more recent advancement, evolving over the past 2 decades. While Ru- and Ir-based photocatalysts dominate due to their photostability, long excited-state lifetimes, and high redox potentials, concerns about sustainability and cost have shifted attention to first-row transition metals. Luminescent Cu(I) complexes have emerged as promising alternatives, offering open-shell reactivity and tunable photoelectrochemical properties. This review (1) provides an overview of the structural, photophysical, and electrochemical properties governing Cu(I) complexes; (2) highlights advances in Cu(I)-BINAP catalysis for C–C and C–heteroatom bond formations under mild conditions; and (3) analyzes the trajectory of this catalytic system, addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for further development.

利用可见光驱动化学转化已有超过一个世纪的历史。然而，光氧化还原催化剂的开发以有效利用光能是更近的进展，是在过去20年中发展起来的。虽然基于钌和铱的光催化剂因其光稳定性、长激发态寿命和高氧化还原电位而占主导地位，但对可持续性和成本的担忧已将注意力转移到第一行过渡金属上。发光的铜（I）配合物已成为有前途的替代品，提供开壳层反应性和可调节的光电化学性质。本综述（1）概述了控制铜（I）配合物的结构、光物理和电化学性质；（2）强调了在温和条件下铜（I） - BINAP催化用于碳 - 碳和碳 - 杂原子键形成的进展；（3）分析了该催化体系的发展轨迹，应对挑战并确定进一步发展的机会。