Approaches and Catalyst’s Designs in Anion-Binding and Acridinium Photocatalysis

Abstract

In the past few years, organocatalysis have become a promising strategy to promote chemical reactions. However, the design of more efficient catalysts is of continuous demand. Aiming at solving some of the current reactivity and stability limitations of organocatalytic systems, our group is devoted to the design of innovative non-covalent and organophotocatalytic active structures for the development of robust metal-free synthetic methodologies. In this regard, we have recently introduced helical chiral triazoles as versatile multidentate H-donor structures that allow for challenging enantioselective transformations in anion-binding catalysis. Their cooperative multidentate character permits the use of very low loadings, while promoting an efficient transfer of chirality from the chiral contact ion-pair formed upon binding of the catalyst to a simple achiral anion to the final product. Another line of research in our group deals with the design of novel acridinium salts for their application in photocatalysis. Hence, the synthesis, photophysical properties and application of tunable amide-acridinium and zwiterionic acridinium-amidate structures with enhanced photoredox and direct hydrogen atom transfer (d-HAT) catalytic activity will also be discussed.