9,10-Phenanthrenequinone (PQ): a versatile catalyst in organic synthesis

Aromatic carbonyl compounds have garnered significant attention as photocatalysts for diverse chemical transformations. Among these, 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PQ) is widely used in organic synthesis due to its low cost, ease of availability, and distinctive physical and chemical properties. The excited state of PQ facilitates substrate activation through mechanisms such as single electron transfer (SET) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). Additionally, PQ can catalyze the dehalogenation of α-bromoanilides and serves as a ligand in organic synthesis. Recently, PQ-catalyzed organic transformations have emerged as a potent strategy for synthesizing a wide array of organic molecules. This review aims to concisely summarize the latest advancements in utilizing PQ as a versatile catalyst for organic reactions, while also exploring the reaction design, mechanistic insights, and future development prospects of these methodologies.