Photoredox Chemistry of Copper(II) Perchlorate in Methanolic Medium

Abstract

Ultraviolet irradiation of copper(II) perchlorate in methanol yields copper(I) and formaldehyde as the products. The primary photoprocess is believed to be the homolytic cleavage of copper(II)-methanol bond. Secondary reactions of oxidized solvent species with copper(II), copper(I), and solvent molecules affect the product quantum yields. Variation of the quantum yield for copper(I) as a function of irradiating wavelength indicates the existence of methanol-to-copper(II) charge transfer band in the 200–250 nm region.