Efficient Photothermal Conversion of B←N Lewis Adducts

Kusumoto, T. Mio, K. Rakumitsu, M. Shimabukuro, M. Kobayashi, T. Fukui, N. Hamamoto, T. Ishizaki, Y. Kim, Y. Koide

The unique potential of B ← N Lewis adducts, a series of compounds composed of triphenylborane and pyridine/pyrazine derivatives, was investigated, which exhibited both photochromism and remarkably high-efficiency photothermal conversion, as well as being easy to prepare. They exhibit photochromism by generating organic radicals through intramolecular electron transfer upon exposure to UV light (365 nm). This feature, which distinguishes it from other photochromic materials, allows them to function as photothermal conversion materials with high efficiency up to 82% under NIR (850 nm) irradiation, a significant leap over both inorganic and organic materials and coordination compounds. To our knowledge, this research is the first to demonstrate the potential of B ← N adducts as both photochromic and NIR photothermal materials, opening up their various applications in the future.

J. Mater. Chem. C, Advance Article (2025). (DOI: 10.1039/D4TC03640A)