Efficient Redox-Neutral Photocatalytic Formate to Carbon Monoxide Conversion Enabled by Long-Range Hot Electron Transfer from Mn-Doped Quantum Dots.

Energetic hot electrons generated in Mn-doped quantum dots (QDs) via exciton-to-hot-electron upconversion possess long-range transfer capability. The long-range hot electron transfer allowed for superior efficiency in various photocatalytic reduction reactions compared to conventional QDs, which solely rely on the transfer of band edge electrons. Here we show that the synergistic action of the interfacial hole transfer to the initial reactant and subsequent long-range hot electron transfer to an intermediate species enables highly efficient photocatalytic reactions, thereby extending the benefits of Mn-doped QDs beyond reduction reactions.