Work

Organic Two‐Photon‐Absorbing Photosensitizers Can Overcome Competing Light Absorption in Organic Photocatalysis

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Conventional organic photocatalysis typically relies on ultraviolet and short‐wavelength visible photons as the energy source. However, this approach often suffers from competing light absorption by reactants, products, intermediates, and co‐catalysts, leading to reduced quantum efficiency and side reactions. To address this issue, we developed novel organic two‐photon‐absorbing (TPA) photosensitizers capable of functioning under deep red and near‐infrared light irradiation. Three model reactions including cyclization, Sonogashira Csp2−Csp cross‐coupling, and Csp2−N cross‐coupling reactions were selected to compare the performance of the new photosensitizers under both blue (427 nm) and deep red (660 nm) light irradiation. The obtained results unambiguously prove that for reactions involving blue light‐absorbing reactants, products, and/or co‐catalysts, deep red light source resulted in better performance than blue light when utilizing our TPA photosensitizers. This work highlights the potential of our metal‐free TPA photosensitizers as a sustainable and effective solution to mitigate the competing light absorption issue in photocatalysis, not only expanding the scope of organic photocatalysts but also reducing reliance on expensive Ru/Ir/Os‐based photosensitizers.

Source: Chemistry - A European Journal

DOI: 10.1002/chem.202402856

Authors: Bidyut Kumar Kundu, Noorul Bashar, Prasenjit Srivastava, Christopher G. Elles, Yujie Sun

Institutions: University of Cincinnati, University of Kansas

Language: English

Topic: Radical Photochemical Reactions

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,640

Funders: National Science Foundation, Florida State University, Division of Chemistry