In this review, we highlight the use of organic photoredox catalysts in a myriad of synthetic transformations with a range of applications. This overview is arranged by catalyst class where the photophysics and electrochemical characteristics of each is discussed to underscore the differences and advantages to each type of single electron redox agent. We highlight both net reductive and oxidative as well as redox neutral transformations that can be accomplished using purely organic photoredox-active catalysts. An overview of the basic photophysics and electron transfer theory is presented in order to provide a comprehensive guide for employing this class of catalysts in photoredox manifolds.

Organic Photoredox Catalysis

The first acidity scale to be established in a pure solvent other than water was the result of the pioneering work of Conant, Wheland, and McEwen in ether or ben~ene .~ During the past 20 years an ion-pair acidity scale covering an \"effective pKa rangefrom about 15 to 40 has been developed in cyclohexylamine (CHA),6 and similar studies in other low-dielectric-constant solvents including 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME)7a and tetrahydrofuran (THF)7b*c have been carried out. A more limited ion-pair acidity scale has been developed in liquid NH,.7d Also, during this period, acidity scales have been established in the polar non-hydrogenbond-donor (NHBD) solvents dimethyl sulfoxide (Me$0)8 and N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (NMP)? which have relatively high dielectric constants. The pK,'s measured in these solvents differ from ion-pair pK,'s in that they are absolute, in the sense that they are based on Me2S0 and NMP as the standard states, which allows direct comparisons to be made with H20 and gas-phase pK,'s. A truly absolute acidity scale has been established in the gas phase, which, for the first time, provides intrinsic measures of structural effects free of solvent effects.1° Our purpose in this Account is (a) to discuss briefly acidities in various solvent media, (b) to present a table of representative equilibrium acidity constants in M e 8 0 solution, and (c) to illustrate ways in which these pK, data can be used. In an accompanying Account we compare acidities in Me2S0 solution with intrinsic gas-phase acidities and discuss some of the insights into solvation effects provided thereby. Acidities in H 2 0 and Me2S0. It is important to recognize that pKa values are solvent dependent. The

/pdf/equilibrium-acidities-in-dimethyl-sulfoxide-solution-av3qyewuun.pdf

Equilibrium Acidities in Dimethyl Sulfoxide Solution

In recent years, photoredox catalysis has come to the forefront in organic chemistry as a powerful strategy for the activation of small molecules. In a general sense, these approaches rely on the ability of metal complexes and organic dyes to convert visible light into chemical energy by engaging in single-electron transfer with organic substrates, thereby generating reactive intermediates. In this Perspective, we highlight the unique ability of photoredox catalysis to expedite the development of completely new reaction mechanisms, with particular emphasis placed on multicatalytic strategies that enable the construction of challenging carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.joc.6b01449

Photoredox Catalysis in Organic Chemistry

The interaction between an electronically excited photocatalyst and an organic molecule can result in the genertion of a diverse array of reactive intermediates that can be manipulated in a variety of ways to result in synthetically useful bond constructions. This Review summarizes dual-catalyst strategies that have been applied to synthetic photochemistry. Mechanistically distinct modes of photocatalysis are discussed, including photoinduced electron transfer, hydrogen atom transfer, and energy transfer. We focus upon the cooperative interactions of photocatalysts with redox mediators, Lewis and Bronsted acids, organocatalysts, enzymes, and transition metal complexes.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00018

Dual Catalysis Strategies in Photochemical Synthesis

We report that Ru(bipy)3Cl2 can serve as a visible light photocatalyst for [2+2] enone cycloadditions. A variety of aryl enones participate readily in the reaction, and the diastereoselectivity in the formation of the cyclobutane products is excellent. We propose a mechanism in which a photogenerated Ru(bipy)3+ complex promotes one-electron reduction of the enone substrate, which undergoes subsequent radical anion cycloaddition. The efficiency of this process is extremely high, which allows rapid, high-yielding [2+2] cyclizations to be conducted using incident sunlight as the only source of irradiation.

Efficient visible light photocatalysis of [2+2] enone cycloadditions.

Three methods for estimating the pKa of a radical cation using thermochemical cycles are discussed. These methods enable the calculations of the pKa of radical cations which have not been determine...

Thermochemical parameters for organic radicals and radical ions. Part 1. The estimation of the pKa of radical cations based on thermochemical calculations

Radical ions in photochemistry. 5. photosensitized (electron transfer) cyanation of olefins

The photochemical nucleophile−olefin combination, aromatic substitution (photo-NOCAS) reaction has been a cornerstone of research in our laboratory for several years. In this Account we present an overview of the mechanistic exploration and rationalization of this photoinduced electron transfer reaction. We have investigated the mechanism and defined the synthetic scope and limitations by variations in reaction conditions and structural modification of the substrates. During our studies, we have come across several other pathways in competition with the photo-NOCAS reaction that dominate once specific conditions are altered. These alternative reactions are also discussed briefly.

Photochemical nucleophile-olefin combination, aromatic substitution reaction. Its synthetic development and mechanistic exploration.

The photosensitized (electron transfer) irradiation of cis- and trans-2,3-diphenyloxirane (1 and 2) led to cleavage of the oxirane carbon–carbon bond and subsequent formation of the carbonyl ylide....

Radical ions in photochemistry. 6. The photosensitized (electron transfer) ring opening of aryloxiranes

The photosubstitution (electron transfer) reaction between 1,4-dicyanobenzene (1) and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (2), which gives 1-(4-cyanophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (3) and 3-(4-cyanophenyl)-2,3-di...

Donald R. Arnold

Papers

Thermochemical parameters for organic radicals and radical ions. Part 1. The estimation of the pKa of radical cations based on thermochemical calculations

Radical ions in photochemistry. 5. photosensitized (electron transfer) cyanation of olefins

Photochemical nucleophile-olefin combination, aromatic substitution reaction. Its synthetic development and mechanistic exploration.

Radical ions in photochemistry. 6. The photosensitized (electron transfer) ring opening of aryloxiranes

Radical ions in photochemistry. 15. The photosubstitution reaction between dicyanobenzenes and alkyl olefins