Pushing the limit of triplet-triplet annihilation photon upconversion towards the UVC range.

Triplet-triplet annihilation photon upconversion (TTA-UC) provides a milder alternative to traditional UVB/UVC photochemistry. However, suitable sensitizer-annihilator pairs are scarce, in particular in the high-energy UV regime. Herein, we present a benzene-based annihilator that, paired with a suitable sensitizer, generates upconverted emission approaching the UVC region for the first time.