Abstract
The newly discovered artificial photosynthesis process catalyzed by 2-phenyl indole (PI) and TiCl₄ complexes activated by visible light, produces long-chain oxygenated hydrocarbons up to C17. This process begins with the formation of α-carboxylic acid-ω-aldehyde compounds (C6 to C9), arising from a cascade of autocatalytic organotitanium complexes derived from (PI)₂TiCl₄. These complexes are formed via hydrolysis by ambient air humidity and the direct atmospheric capture (DAC) of CO₂. Carbon chain growth utilizes system-generated formaldehyde as a feedstock. The initial C6 to C9 compounds can further couple to C12 to C17 derivatives through a radical mechanism initiated by hydroxyl radicals. A proposed mechanism explores the synergistic interaction between organotitanium catalysis and hydroxyl radicals. This development represents the only known heterogeneous catalytic system that autonomously captures CO₂ and humidity from the atmosphere to produce long-chain oxygenated hydrocarbons using solar energy.