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Energetic coordination complexes constructed from non-explosive and stable nitro bearing ligands and Cu2+ have been presented, and are laser-ignitable on the basis of the coordination-induced photothermal conversion.

A photoactive metal-organic complex [Zn2(BCbpe)2(p-DBC)2]·5H2O(1) has been synthesized based on an olefin-containing pyridinium compound, 1-(4-carboxybenzyl)-4-[2-(4-pyridyl)-vinyl] pyridinium chloride(HBCbpeCl), and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. In the solid state, the BCbpe ligands are packed in a head-to-tail manner through weak cation-π interaction, undergoing a photo-induced cycloaddition quantitatively upon UV-light irradiation.

An eco-friendly and economical approach for the photocatalytic oxidation of organic inter-mediates by air under mild conditions is highly desirable in green and sustainable chemistry, where the photogeneration of active oxygen species plays a key role in improving conversion efficiency and selectivity. By using pyridinium derivatives as molecular mediators for electron transfer and energy transfer, the simultaneous activation of O2 from air into superoxide radicals and singlet oxygen species can be achieved, and a photoinduced electron transfer catalytic system for the oxidation of alcohols has been developed. Thus, we have successfully simplified the complicated catalytic system into a single molecular catalyst without any additional noble metals and co-catalysts/additives. The current photocatalytic system shows high catalytic efficiency not only for aromatic alcohols but also for aliphatic alcohols that are generally difficult to undergo aerobic oxidation at room temperature under air atmosphere, representing an ideal photocatalytic platform for green and economical organic syntheses.

Photoinduced bending behavior triggered by [2 + 2] cycloaddition of a photoactive complex has been successfully achieved, accompanied by photochromic and fluorescence changes that provide convenience for long-distance observation of photomechanical motion. The key design feature is based on the introduction of flexible methylene groups and cation-π interactions. Moreover, the potential application in photomechanical devices was reflected by bending and supporting force experiments on the complex composite film, which is of increasing importance especially in soft actuators and robots.

A dual-photoresponsive coordination polymer displaying color-distinguishable olefin/cyclobutane-linked pyridinium radical states through photoinduced electron transfer and photocycloaddition has been successfully assembled based on the monoquaternized trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene and electron-rich benzenetetra-carboxylate anion. The synergy of charge-transfer and cation-π interactions within the framework endows the compound with excellent stability toward high temperature (350 °C), acidic/basic environments (pH = 2-12) and organic solvents. Reversible recovery from the radical states to their initial states, and reverse-cyclization can be achieved upon heat-treatment.