Visible Light Mediated Electron and Energy Transfer Processes for the Functionalization of Organic Molecules

Rai, Pramod (2024) Visible Light Mediated Electron and Energy Transfer Processes for the Functionalization of Organic Molecules. PhD thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

Text (PhD thesis of Pramod Rai (18RS070)) 18RS070.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (33MB)

Abstract

Synthetic chemistry has tremendously aided in the discovery and production of important medicines, agrochemicals, and therapeutic and functional materials that have benefited people's health and businesses worldwide. Designing more environmentally friendly, atom-economic, and cost-effective processes is an essential part of a synthetic chemist's work, whether in a research or industrial setting. The development of advanced green chemical technologies and processes in organic synthesis and environmental conversions has become one of the most critical challenges for chemical researchers from the very beginning. In this regard, photochemistry has emerged as a powerful technology for synthesizing complex and often highly functionalized molecules in a greener approach. This chemistry offers unique opportunities to achieve smooth and clean functionalization of organic compounds by unlocking site-specific reactivities, generally under mild reaction conditions. As most of the organic molecules are incapable of absorbing visible wavelengths of light, the photochemical reactions were previously carried out using ultraviolet (UV) light, which excites substrates or reagents directly by the involvement of high energy of these light sources. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in these disciplines. However, the demand for specialized photoreactors to safely create high-energy UV radiation, as well as the significant capital expense associated with the development of dedicated large-scale photoreactors for industrial-scale synthesis, is both appealing and challenging. In addition, the UV light used in these reactions requires an input of energy for its generation, which increases both the cost and environmental footprint of the processes compared with the direct utilization of incident sunlight. In this aspect, visible light photocatalysis, which uses low-energy visible light, is the best alternative and is less hazardous than high-energy UV light. In this case, the light serves as an energy input to carry out various transformations and typically uses catalytic amounts of light-absorbing photocatalysts, paving the way for sustainable chemical synthesis, which is driven by a non-hazardous and environment-friendly reagent. This thesis's main aim will be to explore visible light photocatalysis involving single-electron transfer (SET) or energy transfer (EnT) processes with organic substrates. The main focus will be on constructing various carbon–carbon bonds and complex 3-dimensional (3D) motifs from simple 2D feedstocks.

Actions (login required)

View Item