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Abstract Diffusion‐limited kinetics is a key mechanistic debate when consecutive photoelectron transfer (conPET) is discussed in photoredox catalysis. In situ generated organic photoactive radicals can access catalytic systems as reducing as alkaline metals that can activate remarkably stable bonds. However, in many cases, the extremely short‐lived transient nature of these doublet state open‐shell species has led to debatable mechanistic studies, hindering adoption and development. Herein, we document the use of an isolated and stable neutral organicⁿPrDMQA radical as a highly photoreducing species. The isolated radical offers a unique platform to investigate the mechanism behind the photocatalytic activity of organic photocatalyst radicals. The involvement of reduced solvent is observed, formed by single electron transfer (SET) between the short‐lived excited stateⁿPrDMQA radical and the solvent. In our detailed mechanistic studies, spectroscopic and chemical affirmation of solvent reduction is strongly evident. Reduction of aryl halides, including difluoroarenes is presented as a model study of the conPET method. Further, the activation of N₂O, a greenhouse gas that is yet to be activated by photoredox catalysis, is showcased in the absence of a transition metal. 

Abstract The development of tunable organic photoredox catalysts remains important in the field of photoredox catalysis. A highly modular and tunable family of trianguleniums (azadioxatriangulenium, diazaoxatriangulenium, and triazatriangulenium), and the related [4]helicene quinacridinium have been used as organic photoredox catalysts for photoreductions and photooxidations under visible light irradiation (λ = 518–640 nm). A highlight of this family of photoredox catalysts is their readily tunable redox properties, leading to different reactivities. We report their use as photocatalysts for the aerobic oxidative hydroxylation of arylboronic acids and the aerobic cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction of N-phenyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydroisoquinoline with nitromethane through reductive quenching. Furthermore, their potential as photoreduction catalysts has been demonstrated through the catalysis of an intermolecular atom-transfer radical addition via oxidative quenching. These transformations serve as benchmarks to highlight that the easily synthesized trianguleniums, congeners of the acridiniums, are versatile organic photoredox catalysts with applications in both photooxidations and photoreductions. 

Chromoselective bond activation has been achieved in organic helicenium (nPr-DMQA+)-based photoredox catalysis. Consequently, control over chromoselective C(sp2)–X bond activation in multihalogenated aromatics has been demonstrated. nPr-DMQA+ can only initiate the halogen atom transfer (XAT) pathway under red light irradiation to activate low-energy-accessible C(sp2)–I bonds. In contrast, blue light irradiation initiates consecutive photoinduced electron transfer (conPET) to activate more challenging C(sp2)–Br bonds. Comparative reaction outcomes have been demonstrated in the α-arylation of cyclic ketones with red and blue lights. Furthermore, red-light-mediated selective C(sp2)–I bonds have been activated in iodobromoarenes to keep the bromo functional handle untouched. Finally, the strength of the chromoselective catalysis has been highlighted with two-fold functionalization using both photo-to-transition metal and photo-to-photocatalyzed transformations.