Citation: Meng-Xin Liu, Xiao-Long Su, Pu Chen, Yan-Yan Liu, Jian-Peng Li, Li Zou, Ben Zhong Tang, Hai-Tao Feng. Sequential FRET system based on macrocyclic AIEgens for versatile photocatalysis[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(4): 111516. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111516 shu

Sequential FRET system based on macrocyclic AIEgens for versatile photocatalysis

Meng-Xin Liu ^a ,
Xiao-Long Su ^{a, *,} ,
Pu Chen ^a ,
Yan-Yan Liu ^a ,
Jian-Peng Li ^a ,
Li Zou ^a ,
Ben Zhong Tang ^{b, *,} ,
Hai-Tao Feng ^{a, *,}

a.
AIE Research Center, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Baoji University of Arts and Sciences, Baoji 721013, China
b.
Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Aggregate Science, School of Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518172, China

lxsuxiaolong@126.com

tangbenz@cuhk.edu.cn

haitaofeng907@163.com

Received Date: 22 April 2025
Revised Date: 23 June 2025
Accepted Date: 25 June 2025
Available Online: 26 June 2025

Figures(5)

Supramolecular architectures exhibiting cascade energy transfer characteristics represent pivotal model systems for advancing biomimetic light-harvesting systems (LHS) that emulate the natural photosynthesis. To now, the engineering of aqueous-phase artificial LHS with optimized energy transfer cascades is still a challenge. In this study, we designed and synthesized two tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based macrocyclic compounds (namely TPE-1 and TPE-2) with different cavity sizes as supramolecular scaffolds to study their energy transfer behaviors. As a control model, a linear molecule TPE-3 was also prepared. The bigger-cavity macrocycle TPE-1 can emit green fluorescence and self-assemble into nanospherical structures in aqueous media, acting as an energy donor. Through self-assembly with eosin Y (EY) and a red-emitting fluorophore (TPE-Se), a sequential Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) cascade: TPE-1→EY→TPE-Se was achieved thanks to their excellent spectral overlap and proximity between the donor and acceptors. The optimized ternary system (TPE-1/EY/TPE-Se) with a ratio of 1000:90:60 afforded a high energy transfer efficiency (Φ_ET) of 95%. Then, the artificial LHS platform catalyzed the oxidative coupling of benzylamines with 93% yield in aqueous media. Moreover, the system demonstrated broad catalytic utility oxidation reactions, the good conversion of methylthiobenzyl ester to methylbenzene sulfoxide and the aerobic cross-dehydrogenation coupling reaction of N-phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline with indole. These results robustly demonstrate the promising potential of this artificial LHS in the field of aqueous photocatalysis.
- Macrocycles,
- AIEgens,
- Light-harvesting systems,
- Sequential energy transfer,
- Photocatalysis
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