C6 to C17 Organic Products from Artificial Photosynthesis Catalyzed by 2-Phenyl Indole (PI) Titanium Tetrachloride Complex (PI)2TiCl4. The Synergism of Hydroxyl Radicals.

Abstract The newly discovered process of Artificial Photosynthesis, catalyzed by 2-phenyl indole (PI) and TiCl4 complexes activated by visible light, can produce long-chain oxygenated hydrocarbons up to C17. This begins with the formation of α-carboxylic acid-ω-aldehyde compounds ranging from C6 to C9, which result from a cascade of autocatalytic organotitanium complexes originating from (PI)₂TiCl₄. These complexes form after hydrolysis by ambient air humidity and the direct atmospheric capture (DAC) of CO2. The carbon chain growth leverages system-generated formaldehyde as a feedstock. The initial C6 to C9 compounds may undergo further dimerization through a radical process initiated by hydroxyl radicals. A proposed mechanism explores the synergistic interaction between organotitanium catalysis and hydroxyl radicals.