Metal-free hydrogen evolution with nanoparticles derived from pyrene via two-photon ionization induced by laser irradiation.

Laser irradiation of a cyclohexane solution containing pyrene resulted in hydrogen evolution as pyrene was converted to a metal-free nanoparticle photocatalyst. When C6H12 was replaced by C6D12, D2 was mainly evolved. This result suggests that the hydrogen source is cyclohexane used as a solvent. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution was also observed in an aqueous solution by using a water-soluble pyrene derivative.