Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Limei Wang, Yu Sun, Fuyong Zhang, Jingting Hu, Wentao Hu, Shunji Xie, Yongke Wang, Jun Feng, Yubing Li, Genyuan Wang, Biao Zhang, Haiyan Wang, Qinghong Zhang, Ye Wang
Summary: Despite numerous studies on photocatalysis, there has been limited success in using semiconductors to synthesize industrially important bulk chemicals. However, this study successfully designed and fabricated single-atom rhodium-doped nanorods, which showed record-breaking efficiencies in producing ethylene glycol, a key bulk chemical used for polyester manufacturing, through photocatalysis.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Long Huang, Rajesh Kancherla, Magnus Rueping
Summary: The advent and development of photoredox/nickel synergistic catalysis have enabled the use of various alkyl radical precursors in the cross-coupling arylation and addressed the challenge of regiodivergent synthesis. We disclose a visible light nickel-catalyzed protocol for the deaminative cross-coupling of redox-active imines with various electrophiles, allowing for the rapid construction of C(sp(3)) enriched arene architectures in a regiodivergent manner.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenghong Zhou, Jimin Yang, Bo Yang, Yang Han, Lijuan Zhu, Xiao-Song Xue, Feng Zhu
Summary: This study presents a pioneering example of nickel-catalysed enantioconvergent Stille cross-coupling reactions. The reactions result in the formation of C-C bonds in good to high yields with excellent stereoselectivity, providing a practical and cost-effective method for synthesis. The innovative use of synergistic photoredox/nickel catalysis enables a novel single-electron transmetalation process, opening up new research possibilities in the field of Stille reactions.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alejandro Torregrosa-Chinillach, Rafael Chinchilla
Summary: This review summarizes the recent advances in oxidative dehydrogenation of C-N and C-O bonds, leading to C=N and C=O bonds, respectively, using air or pure oxygen as oxidants and metal-free homogeneous or recyclable heterogeneous photocatalysts under visible light irradiation.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Changzhen Yin, Wei Liu, Qiang Wu, Miao Wang, Peng Hu
Summary: A new iron-catalyzed deconstructive cyanomethylation reaction has been developed for the selective functionalization of cyclic and linear alcohols. This reaction involves the cleavage of C-C single bonds and C(sp3)-H bonds, leading to the formation of C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds.
ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Giuseppe Sportelli, Tommaso Boselli, Stefano Protti, Nick Serpone, Davide Ravelli
Summary: Light absorption by semiconducting materials generates electrons and holes, leading to charge separation for photovoltaics and photocatalysis. Recent developments in photovoltaic applications have been impressive, thanks to innovative and efficient materials. This review showcases the high performance of photovoltaic materials in photocatalytic synthetic applications, such as redox processes, C-C bond formation, and manipulation of cyclic structures. The trend highlights the importance of converting highly performing photovoltaic materials into the photocatalytic field.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chengwei Liu, Chong-Lei Ji, Tongliang Zhou, Xin Hong, Michal Szostak
Summary: Cooperative bimetallic catalysis was used in the direct decarbonylative heteroarylation of carboxylic acids, enabling synthesis of important heterobiaryl motifs with high chemoselectivity. This method, which does not require prefunctionalization or directing groups, has a broad substrate scope and shows potential for late-stage modification of pharmaceuticals and streamlined synthesis of bioactive agents. Extensive mechanistic and computational studies were conducted to understand the reaction mechanism, identifying a key step involving the intersection of two catalytic cycles.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qingning Yang, Xiyi Li, Lu Chen, Xiaoyu Han, Feng Ryan Wang, Junwang Tang
Summary: This study presents a heterogeneous photocatalyst (Cu/ZnO) for efficient C-C coupling of benzyl chloride with high selectivity and yield at room temperature. The reaction showed excellent stability even after 8 cycles. The enhanced adsorption, stabilization of intermediates, and charge separation/transfer contributed to the improved performance.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shibo Shao, Ke Wang, Jason B. Love, Jialin Yu, Shangfeng Du, Zongyang Yue, Xianfeng Fan
Summary: A sulfur-rich zinc indium sulfide photocatalyst was developed to promote the cleavage of C-beta-O linkages in lignin, using water as a hydrogen donor. The reaction selectivity for aromatic monomers increased and the conversion rate of lignin model compounds improved significantly. This study provides a new and effective strategy to promote the cleavage of C-beta-O linkages and is helpful for the future development of photocatalytic lignin valorization.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Organic
Dorian Didier
Summary: Formation of C-C bonds has been a challenge for synthetic organic chemists for decades. Organoboron derivatives, as mild and functional-group-tolerant reagents, have the potential to increase the sustainability of coupling reactions. This review summarizes the different approaches developed for C-C bond formation through intramolecular rearrangements of organoborate species.
SYNTHESIS-STUTTGART
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lamei Liao, Dongen Lin, Gary Histand
Summary: This study developed a method for the photocatalyzed synthesis of 9-arylpurines using non-activated arenes and 9H-purines. The process is highly atom economical and does not require the use of metal or external oxidant.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Manjula D. Rathnayake, Jimmie D. Weaver
Summary: Photocatalysis is an important synthetic strategy that can generate radicals in a controlled fashion. However, the reducibility of alkyl halides limits their broader implementation. This study explores the use of nucleophiles as electron capture motifs to normalize the variable redox potentials across substrates, leading to the discovery of bench-stable, commercially available collidinium salts as excellent radical precursors with a broad scope.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peng-Zi Wang, Yu-Jie Liang, Xue Wu, Wei Guan, Wen-Jing Xiao, Jia-Rong Chen
Summary: Atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) reaction of alkenes has a significant impact in the field of radical difunctionalization of alkenes. A novel copper-catalyzed asymmetric three-component photo-ATRA-type reaction is reported, which enables highly enantioselective intermolecular C-O cross-coupling between carbon radicals and carboxylic acids.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Chen Xing, Zhou Xuan, Ji Xiaochen, Huang Huawen
Summary: The newly developed method for synthesizing thioether compounds utilizes oxidative dehydrogenation coupling reaction under visible light without the need for a metal catalyst, demonstrating high atomic economy and wide substrate applicability.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guangming Wang, Xiaowei Mu, Ruike Tan, Ziye Pan, Jiayang Li, Qingyun Zhan, Rong Fu, Shuyan Song, Lu Li
Summary: A highly desirable technology for the low-carbon and atom-economical production of H2 and value-added chemicals, nonoxidative conversion of methane (NOCM) under mild conditions was achieved using CeO2 nanoisland patterns on the surface of Ce-Zr solid solutions. These patterns facilitated methane adsorption and activation, leading to the highest methane conversion rate for photocatalytic NOCM to date. The photocatalyst also demonstrated a reversible and cooperative photoactivation process, enhancing its photoexcited charge separation efficiency and photocatalytic NOCM activities.