Ir-Porphyrin-Based Metal-Organic Framework as a Dual Metallo- and Photocatalyst for Inert Alkyl C(sp)H Bond Activation and Direct Functionalization.

The activation and transformation of inert alkyl C(sp)H bonds to obtain high-value fine chemicals by sustainable solar energy are of great significance. Herein, by incorporating Ir-porphyrin into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to stabilize the highly active carbene, we reported a new approach to combining metallo- and photocatalysis to efficiently accelerate carbene migratory insertion and CH bond activation the radical coupling pathway for inert alkane functionalization. The -formed carbene was restricted into the pores of MOFs to produce Ir-carbene, allowing the first-time isolation and structural characterization of the Ir-carbene intermediate which are not stabilized by a heteroatom. The product of the reaction, especially the cyclic ethers as substrates, suggested that the functionalization of the α position of the alkoxy group was favored. Additionally, the new approach could be extended to stabilize the metal carbene intermediates to realize C(sp)H bond alkylation and arylation.