Quantum dots: Another choice to sensitize organic transformations

Photochemical reactions are among the most important reactions in both theoretical studies and practical applications, since they utilize photon energy as the primary driving force. The sensitizer species is the key component connecting photons and the chemical materials of the reaction, which is conventionally among organic dyes or metal complex molecules. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), widely used in optoelectronic materials, and fluorescence sensing can be also applied to organic transformations due to their inherent physical and chemical properties. The similar functionalities and special photophysical features make QDs an ideal sensitizer and promote the efficient progress of the photochemical reactions. Moreover, the booming of QD photocatalysis reveals the excellent potential of interdisciplinary development between nano-materials science and organic chemistry QDs. Hence, a systematical explanation of the reaction principle of QDs in photocatalytic processes is necessary. In this review, we analyze the structural and optical properties of the QDs and illustrate how QDs participate in and facilitate organic reactions belonging to different pathways. We also present an outlook on the development of QD photocatalysis.