Work

Visible-Light-Driven C–F Bond Cleavage in Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids: Readily Accessible Ruthenium-Bipyridine Complexes as Effective Catalysts

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Herein, we report the reaction discovery and mechanistic studies of a visible-light-driven defluorination reaction of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), a major class of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) widely present in the environment that pose significant health and environmental concerns. The developed reaction employs 1–5 mol % of commercially available or readily accessible Ru-bipyridine complexes as the catalyst and achieves efficient C–F bond cleavage for C2–C8 PFCAs, perfluorinated dicarboxylic acids, and partially fluorinated carboxylic acids. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds via an inner-sphere pathway involving light-driven steps such as solvent-promoted ligand dissociation and Ru–O homolysis.

Source: Organometallics

DOI: 10.1021/acs.organomet.6c00279

Authors: Ashan S. Wickramaarachchi, Ishan D. Jayampathi, Maggie M. Larson, Alexander N. Erickson, Dian Wang

Institution: Marquette University

Language: English

Topic: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: Marquette University, Division of Chemistry