PHOTOCATALYSIS
Over the past decade, photoredox catalysis has rapidly developed and caught tremendous attention from synthetic chemists. Iridium and ruthenium polypyridyl complexes are among the most widely used and effective photo-redox catalysts (PCs). Yet their high cost, low sustainability, and potential toxicity are significant drawbacks. Organic dyes have been proven to be efficient alternatives.
RED LIGHT MEDIATED TRANSFORMATIONS
All widely used PCs are limited by the use of high energy light source. The goal of our project is to develop organic PCs that can be easily tuned, versatile, and utilized low energy light sources.
ELECTRON RICH ACRIDINIUM ION
We developed electron rich acridinium ions with estimated excited-state oxidation of -1.9 V vs SCE. Such reducing potential are useful for the functionalization of aryl halides via activation of a C(sp2)-X bond (X=I, Br, Cl).
PHOTOREDOX ACTIVE ORGANIC RADICAL
SET with conventional photocatalyst is usually limited to reduction potential down to -2.0 V vs. SCE. To overcome this limitation we are targeting the synthesis of stable organic radicals that can be photoactive and act as super reducing agents.
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