Unlocking the Synthetic Potential of Light-Excited Aryl Ketones: Applications in Direct Photochemistry and Photoredox Catalysis

In this Account, we summarize the contributions of our group to the field of photochemistry and photocatalysis. Our work deals with the development of novel synthetic methods based on the exploitation of photoexcited aryl ketones. The application of new technologies, such as microfluidic photoreactors (MFPs), has enhanced the synthetic performance and scalability of several photochemical methods, e.g., Paterno-Buchi and photoenolization/Diels-Alder processes, while opening the way to unprecedented reactivity. In addition, careful mechanistic analysis of the developed methods has been instrumental in disclosing a new family of powerful organic photocatalysts that can mediate several thermodynamically extreme photoredox processes.

Automated summary

The group's contributions to photochemistry and photocatalysis have been summarized in this Account, focusing on the development of novel synthetic methods using photoexcited aryl ketones and the application of technologies like microfluidic photoreactors. The careful mechanistic analysis of the developed methods has led to the discovery of a new family of powerful organic photocatalysts that can mediate thermodynamically extreme photoredox processes.