Organic photocatalysts for the oxidation of pollutants and model compounds

The use of organic photocatalysts for the oxidation of pollutants and model compounds, with special emphasis on the involved concepts and mechanistic aspects, is reviewed. Photoinduced electron transfer involving the singlet excited state of phthalocyanines has been postulated in the photodegradation of phenols. The reactivity of OH - radical with different pollutants has been quantitatively determined by competition experiments, looking at the decrease of the typical transient absorption of the stilbene adduct at 390 nm. As regards heterogeneous media, after excitation at 355 nm of phthalocyanines immobilized in zeolites, the characteristic singlet oxygen luminiscence is monitored at 1270 nm. TPP has been included within extralarge pore zeolitic aluminosilicates, such as MCM-41. These materials provide an adequate balance between moderate cage effect and facilitation of molecular traffic through the mesopores.Financial support from the Spanish Government (CTQ2009- 13699, CTQ2009-13459-C05-03/PPQ, RIRRAF RETICS), and the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo Program) is gratefully acknowledged. Dedicated to Prof. Avelino Corma on the occasion of his 60th birthday.Marín García, ML.; Santos-Juanes Jordá, L.; Arqués Sanz, A.; Amat Payá, AM.; Miranda Alonso, MÁ. (2012). Organic photocatalysts for the oxidation of pollutants and model compounds. Chemical Reviews. 112(3):1710-1750. doi:10.1021/cr2000543S17101750112