Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide A teaching experiment in photoredox catalysis has been developed for the third year undergraduate laboratory, drawing together different aspects of practical chemistry including synthesis, photophysical measurements, and computational studies to enable students to understand key concepts. In the experiment, an organic dye, 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium tetrafluoroborate, is used as a catalyst for the anti-Markovnikov addition of acetic acid to trans -anethole under blue light. Over 3–4 lab periods of 6 h each, students carry out the reaction and purification and use 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and infrared spectroscopy to characterize the product and confirm the regioselectivity of the reaction. They use results from DFT calculations using Gaussian16 to explain the regioselectivity. They measure physical properties of the dye by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry to estimate the redox potential of the dye in its excited state, and use this to explain its ability to catalyze an oxidation step in the presence of light. Results from assessment showed a high level of achievement of the learning objectives, with students demonstrating the ability to combine different experimental methods to build an understanding of a field of chemistry which is new to them.
Source: Journal of Chemical Education
Authors: Karen L. Parrish, Elen Carter, Natalie Fey
Institution: University of Bristol
Language: English
Subfield: Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W4410259010