Visible-light driven water oxidation and oxygen production at soft interfaces

The visible light driven water oxidation reaction (WOR) by the organic electron acceptor 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyano-quinodimethane (TCNQF4) was studied at the water|butyronitrile interface. The WOR was performed at neutral pH, and without any metal or organometallic catalysts. The oxygen generated was measured by GC–MS and cyclic voltammetry, and the protons produced were monitored by measuring the aqueous pH. This work opens novel perspectives for water photo-oxidation in liquids and artificial photosynthesis.