This photoredox catalyst has potential for use in cyclization and intermolecular coupling, which are useful in radical dimerization and polymerisation to produce compounds with complex ring structures and polymers for pharmaceutical, organic semiconductor, and other uses. Yields of 60%-70% have been demonstrated for intra and inter biaryl coupling reactions, and up to 90% for radical cyclizations to cyclized compounds.
Details: Dr. Louis Barriault of the University of Ottawa’s Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation developed this family of dimeric gold catalysts. The novel structure of these catalysts confers to the catalyst photostability, enabling sustained use and the generation of high yields of product. Our data demonstrates a strong ability to cleave carbon-halogens bonds such as benzyl chlorides and bromides, primary and secondary alkyl bromides, and aryl iodides and bromides. The cleavage of these bonds leads to the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds via radical cyclizations involving a highly efficient photoredox process. The technology has the following advantages: