Spectroscopic characterization of photoaccumulated radical anions: a litmus test to evaluate the efficiency of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) processes

Alkyl Radical Generation via C–C Bond Cleavage in 2-Substituted Oxazolidines

There is an urgent need to develop uncharged radical precursors to be activated under mild photocatalyzed conditions. 2-Substituted-1,3-oxazolidines (E_ox < 1.3 V vs SCE, smoothly prepared from the corresponding aldehydes) have been herein employed for the successful release of tertiary, α-oxy, and α-amido radicals under photo-organo redox catalysis. The reaction relies on the unprecedented C–C cleavage occurring from the radical cation of these heterocyclic derivatives. Such a protocol is applied to the visible-light-driven conjugate radical addition onto Michael acceptors and vinyl (hetero)arenes under mild metal-free conditions.

Photoinduced energy- and electron-transfer from a photoactive coordination cage to bound guests

The array of naphthyl chromophores in a self-assembled cage can effect photoinduced energy- or electron-transfer to guests in the central cavity.