Engineering an iridium-containing metal-organic molecular capsule for induced-fit geometrical conversion and dual catalysis

By introducing photoactive fac -tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium moieties as a ligand backbone to constrain the coordination geometry of cobalt ions, a multifunctional Ir 2 Co 3 -type capsule was achieved and showed induced-fit capsule-capsule conversion by cooperative binding one carbonate anion with the equatorial Co( ii ) centers. The capsule combined photocatalysis and transition metal activation synergistically and exhibited efficient catalytic ability on visible light-activated α-trichloromethylation. Quantitative dynamic capsule-capsule conversion by cooperative binding one carbonate anion and switchable dual catalysis was achieved within an Ir 2 Co 3 -type capsule.