Work

Generation of a Ground‐State Electron Donor Utilizing Stored Light Energy

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study presents a process for generating potent ground-state electron donors using chemically stored light energy. Our strategy leverages light energy through high-energy vicinal diols produced by the photodimerization of diaryl ketones. Under basic conditions, these diols can produce dianions with potentials near -2.7 V, which further act as strong organic reductants. These reductants demonstrate a high capacity for effectively reducing recalcitrant substrates at room temperature, including electron-rich aryl bromides, alkyl iodides, and sulfonamide compounds. Mechanistic investigations, supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, confirm both the formation of these dianions and their exceptional electron-donating properties.

Source: Chemistry - A European Journal

DOI: 10.1002/chem.70795

Authors: Marc Taillefer, Éric Clot, Alexis Prieto

Institutions: École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier

Language: English

Topic: Radical Photochemical Reactions

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,640