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

6. Rehybridization of the Acceptor (RICT) 3908 7. Planarization of the Molecule (PICT) 3909 III. Fluorescence Spectroscopy 3909 A. Solvent Effects and the Model Compounds 3909 1. Solvent Effects on the Spectra 3909 2. Steric Effects and Model Compounds 3911 3. Bandwidths 3913 4. Isoemissive Points 3914 B. Dipole Moments 3915 C. Radiative Rates and Transition Moments 3916 1. Quantum Yields and Radiationless Deactivation Processes 3916

Structural Changes Accompanying Intramolecular Electron Transfer: Focus on Twisted Intramolecular Charge-Transfer States and Structures

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

Almost one-third of all proteases can be classified as serine proteases, named for the nucleophilic Ser residue at the active site. This mechanistic class was originally distinguished by the presence of the AspHis-Ser “charge relay” system or “catalytic triad”.1 The Asp-His-Ser triad can be found in at least four different structural contexts, indicating that this catalytic machinery has evolved on at least four separate occasions.2 These four clans of serine proteases are typified by chymotrypsin, subtilisin, carboxypeptidase Y, and Clp protease (MEROPS nomenclature;3 Table 1). More recently, serine proteases with novel catalytic triads and dyads have been discovered, including Ser-His-Glu, Ser-Lys/His, His-Ser-His, and N-terminal Ser.2 Several of these novel serine proteases are subjects of accompanying articles in this issue. This article will review recent work on the mechanism and specificity of chymotrypsin-like enzymes, with the occasional references to pertinent experiments with subtilisin. Chymotrypsin-like proteases are the most abundant in nature, with over 240 proteases recognized in the MEROPS database.3 * E-mail: hedstrom@brandeis.edu; phone: 781-736-2333; FAX: 781-736-2349. 4501 Chem. Rev. 2002, 102, 4501−4523

Serine protease mechanism and specificity

1. Electron Donor 2223 2. Electron Transfer Path 2225 3. Electron Transfer Mechanism 2226 4. Physiological Relevance 2226 D. Radical Reactions in Photolyase 2226 E. “Dark Function” of Photolyase 2227 F. Regulation of Photolyase 2227 III. (6−4) Photolyase 2228 IV. Cryptochromes 2230 A. Structure 2231 B. Function 2231 1. Circadian Rythm 2231 2. Mammalian Circadian System 2231 3. Cryptochromes and the Circadian Clock 2232 V. Perspectives 2234 VI. Acknowledgment 2235 VII. References 2235

Structure and function of DNA photolyase and cryptochrome blue-light photoreceptors.

Synthese eines Cyclodecapentaens

Organic radical cations in fluid solution: unusual structures and rearrangements

Nuclear spin polarization effects in radical ion pair reactions. Comparison between triplet state and radical ion reactivity

Theoretical studies in the norbornadiene-quadricyclane system

A chemically induced nuclear spin polarization study was made to elucidate the structure of the radical cations of norbornadiene (1) and quadricyclene (2) and to ascertain whether they are two discrete species or a single homallylic structure. Photoreaction of chloranil was used. Results indicate that two discrete radical cations are generated by electron transfer from 1 and 2, and that each must have a lifetime of at least several nanoseconds to explain the generation of nuclear spin polarization. One cation gives rise to a polarized rearrangement product (1) while the other does not lead to a polarized 2. (DLC)

Heinz D. Roth

Papers

Synthese eines Cyclodecapentaens

Organic radical cations in fluid solution: unusual structures and rearrangements

Nuclear spin polarization effects in radical ion pair reactions. Comparison between triplet state and radical ion reactivity

Theoretical studies in the norbornadiene-quadricyclane system

Photoinduced electron-transfer reactions. Radical cations of norbornadiene and quadricyclene