Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
06:49
Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst
Published on: April 22, 2016
12.2K
Visible-Light-Enabled C-H Functionalization by a Direct Hydrogen Atom Transfer Uranyl Photocatalyst
Jipan Yu1, Chongyang Zhao2, Rong Zhou3
1Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|September 9, 2020
Summary
Uranyl nitrate acts as a photocatalyst for C-H activation and C-C bond formation using blue light. This method efficiently synthesizes diarylmethane compounds via hydrogen atom transfer.
Area of Science:
- Photocatalysis
- Organic Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- The uranyl cation's potential as a photocatalyst is underdeveloped despite advances in its chemistry.
- Uranyl exhibits high oxidative power in its excited state, absorbs blue light, and has a long fluorescence lifetime, indicating ideal photocatalytic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the efficacy of uranyl nitrate as a photocatalyst for C(sp³)-H activation and C-C bond formation.
- To develop a simple strategy for synthesizing diarylmethane motifs using visible-light photocatalysis.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing uranyl nitrate as a photocatalyst under blue-light irradiation.
- Employing hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) for C-C bond formation.
- Conducting mechanistic studies and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations.
Main Results:
- Successful C(sp³)-H activation and C-C bond formation were achieved using uranyl nitrate photocatalysis.
- A diverse range of diarylmethane compounds were synthesized efficiently.
- Photoinduced HAT mechanism was elucidated through experimental and computational studies.
Conclusions:
- Uranyl nitrate is a promising photocatalyst for visible-light-driven organic transformations.
- The developed strategy offers a facile route to valuable diarylmethane structures.
- This work establishes a platform for broader application of uranyl photocatalysis.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Photochemical Activation
2.4K
Some cycloaddition reactions are activated by heat, while others are initiated by light. For example, a [2 + 2] cycloaddition between two ethylene molecules occurs only in the presence of light. It is photochemically allowed but thermally forbidden.
2.4K
01:26Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
2.1K
The absorption of UV–visible light by conjugated systems causes the promotion of an electron from the ground state to the excited state. Consequently, photochemical electrocyclic reactions proceed via the excited-state HOMO rather than the ground-state HOMO. Since the ground- and excited-state HOMOs have different symmetries, the stereochemical outcome of electrocyclic reactions depends on the mode of activation; i.e., thermal or photochemical.
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
2.1K
02:13Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
13.7K
Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called catalytic hydrogenation.
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
13.7K
02:24Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
8.8K
Introduction
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
8.8K
02:17Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
3.7K
Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
3.7K
00:54Radical Formation: Homolysis
4.1K
A bond is formed between two atoms by sharing two electrons. When this bond is broken by supplying sufficient energy, either two electrons can be taken up by one atom forming ions by the cleavage called heterolysis, or the two electrons are shared by two atoms, with one each creating radicals by the cleavage called homolysis.
4.1K