Efficient energy-level modification of novel pyran-annulated perylene diimides for photocatalytic water splitting.

We design and synthesize four pyran-embedded perylene diimide (PDI) compounds through a straightforward methodology. UV-driven photocatalytic water splitting using the compounds as photocatalysts demonstrates that the highest photocatalytic H2 evolution rate under UV light is 0.90 mmol g-1 h-1, which paves the way towards organic photoresponsive materials.