Silicates as Latent Alkyl Radical Precursors: Visible-Light Photocatalytic Oxidation of Hypervalent Bis-Catecholato Silicon Compounds

This works introduces hypervalent bis-catecholato silicon compounds as versatile sources of alkyl radicals upon visible-light photocatalysis. Using Ir[(dF(CF3)ppy)2(bpy)](PF6) (dF(CF3)ppy = 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-trifluoromethylpyridine, bpy = bipyridine) as catalytic photooxidant, a series of alkyl radicals, including highly reactive primary ones can be generated and engaged in various intermolecular homolytic reactions. Based on cyclic voltammetry, Stern-Volmer studies, and supported by calculations, a mechanism involving a single-electron transfer from the silicate to the photoactivated iridium complex has been proposed. This oxidative photocatalyzed process can be efficiently merged with nickel-catalyzed Csp2-Csp3 cross-coupling reactions.

Three-Component Azidation of Styrene-Type Double Bonds: Light-Switchable Behavior of a Copper Photoredox Catalyst

[Cu(dap)2]Cl effectively catalyzes azide addition from the Zhdankin reagent to styrene-type double bonds, and subsequent addition of a third component to the benzylic position. In the presence of light, a photoredox cycle is implicated with polar components such as methanol or bromide adding to a benzylic cation. In the absence of light, by contrast, double azidation takes place to give diazides. Therefore, regioselective double functionalization can be achieved in good to excellent yields, with a switch between light and dark controlling the degree of azidation.

Visible-light initiated oxidative cyclization of phenyl propiolates with sulfinic acids to coumarin derivatives under metal-free conditions

A visible-light initiated oxidative cyclization of phenyl propiolates with sulfinic acids has been developed at room temperature under metal-free conditions.

A dinuclear gold(i) complex as a novel photoredox catalyst for light-induced atom transfer radical polymerization

The highly active photocatalyst [Au₂(dppm)₂]Cl₂ is able to efficiently promote controlled/living photoATRP of acrylates and methacrylates.

Photoredox catalysis using a new iridium complex as an efficient toolbox for radical, cationic and controlled polymerizations under soft blue to green lights

A new iridium complex (nIr) was designed and investigated as a photoinitiator catalyst for radical and cationic polymerizations upon very soft irradiation.

Formal base-free homolytic aromatic substitutions via photoredox catalysis

We developed a simple and convenient method to assemble biaryls exploiting a photoredox catalyst and visible light.

Mechanistic Investigations of Cu-Catalyzed Fluorination of Diaryliodonium Salts: Elaborating the CuI/CuIII Manifold in Copper Catalysis

A combination of experimental and density functional theory (DFT) investigations suggests that the Cu-catalyzed fluorination of unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts with general structure [Mes(Ar)I]+ in N,N'-dimethylformamide proceeds through a CuI/CuIII catalytic cycle. A low concentration of fluoride relative to combined iodonium reagent plus copper ensures that [Mes(Ar)I]+ is available as the reactive species for oxidative "Ar+" transfer to a CuI center containing one or two fluoride ligands. A series of different possible CuI active catalysts (containing fluoride, triflate, and DMF ligands) have been evaluated computationally, and all show low-energy pathways to fluorinated products. The oxidation of these CuI species by [Mes(Ar)I]+ to form cis-Ar(F)CuIII intermediates is proposed to be rate-limiting in all cases. Ar-F bond-forming reductive elimination from CuIII is computed to be very facile in all of the systems examined. The conclusions of the DFT experiments are supported by several experimental studies, including tests showing that CuI is formed rapidly under the reaction conditions and that the fluoride concentration strongly impacts the reaction yields/selectivities.

Photochemistry and radical chemistry under low intensity visible light sources: application to photopolymerization reactions

The search for radical initiators able to work under soft conditions is a great challenge, driven by the fact that the use of safe and cheap light sources is very attractive. In the present paper, a review of some recently reported photoinitiating systems for polymerization under soft conditions is provided. Different approaches based on multi-component systems (e.g., photoredox catalysis) or light harvesting photoinitiators are described and discussed. The chemical mechanisms associated with the production of free radicals usable as initiating species or mediators of cations are reported.

Metal and metal-free photocatalysts: mechanistic approach and application as photoinitiators of photopolymerization

In the present paper, the photoredox catalysis is presented as a unique approach in the field of photoinitiators of polymerization. The principal photocatalysts already reported as well as the typical oxidation and reduction agents used in both reductive or oxidative cycles are gathered. The chemical mechanisms associated with various systems are also given. As compared to classical iridium-based photocatalysts which are mainly active upon blue light irradiation, a new photocatalyst Ir(piq)2(tmd) (also known as bis(1-phenylisoquinolinato-N,C (2'))iridium(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) is also proposed as an example of green light photocatalyst (toward the long wavelength irradiation). The chemical mechanisms associated with Ir(piq)2(tmd) are investigated by ESR spin-trapping, laser flash photolysis, steady state photolysis, cyclic voltammetry and luminescence experiments.

Visible-light radical reaction designed by Ru- and Ir-based photoredox catalysis

New and easy protocols for radical reactions have been developed.