Photomechanochemistry: harnessing mechanical forces to enhance photochemical reactions

• Francesco Mele,
• Ana M. Constantin,
• Andrea Porcheddu,
• Raimondo Maggi,
• Giovanni Maestri,
• Nicola Della Ca’ and
• Luca Capaldo

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 458–472, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.33

• : the authors termed this approach “mechanochemically-assisted solid-state photocatalysis” (Scheme 7) [70]. Therein, a custom-built photoreactor was integrated into a standard laboratory ball mill apparatus. This reactor, equipped with blue LEDs, allowed for adjustable light intensity and maintained

• acylation of electrophilic olefins (Scheme 11C). Compared to solution-phase photocatalysis, photomechanochemical conditions allowed to reduce the reaction time from 24 h to 3 h while maintaining comparable yields. Finally, the authors proved that photomechanochemistry contributes to the initial rate

• -diphenylethyne to benzil. The photo in Scheme 7 was republished with permission of The Royal Society of Chemistry, from [70] (“Mechanochemically-assisted solid-state photocatalysis (MASSPC)” by V. Štrukil et al., Chem. Commun., vol. 53, © 2017); permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. This

Beyond symmetric self-assembly and effective molarity: unlocking functional enzyme mimics with robust organic cages

• Keith G. Andrews

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 421–443, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.30

• catalysis [229]. Methods to study the structural detail of catalysis in frameworks remain limited, and crucial techniques like solution-phase NMR are rarely useful [22]. Enzyme encapsulation [230], and electro- and photocatalysis are known [228], and chiral and low symmetry MOFs are an exciting avenue

Red light excitation: illuminating photocatalysis in a new spectrum

• Lucas Fortier,
• Corentin Lefebvre and
• Norbert Hoffmann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 296–326, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.22

• Picardie Jules Verne UR 7378, 10 rue Baudelocque, 80000 Amiens, France Institute of Physics and Chemistry of Materials of Strasbourg (IPCMS), University of Strasbourg UMR 7504, 23 rue du Loess, BP 43, 67034 Strasbourg CEDEX 2, France 10.3762/bjoc.21.22 Abstract Red-light-activated photocatalysis has

• , red-light photocatalysis enables innovative applications in phototherapy and controlled drug release, exploiting its tissue penetration and low cytotoxicity. Together, these developments underscore the versatility and impact of red-light photocatalysis, positioning it as a cornerstone of green organic

• chemistry with significant potential in synthetic and biomedical fields. Keywords: green chemistry; medicinal chemistry; organic photochemistry; photocatalysis; red-light mediated transformations; Introduction Red-light-activated photocatalysis has recently gained significant interest as a tool for

Hydrogen-bonded macrocycle-mediated dimerization for orthogonal supramolecular polymerization

• Wentao Yu,
• Zhiyao Yang,
• Chengkan Yu,
• Xiaowei Li and
• Lihua Yuan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 179–188, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.10

• noncovalent bonding interactions. It also confers on supramolecular assemblies with higher complexity and multilevel ordering [9][10][11], leading to a vast number of applications, for example, for use in detection and separation [12], sensing [13], photocatalysis [14], release [15], and as thermochromic and

Giese-type alkylation of dehydroalanine derivatives via silane-mediated alkyl bromide activation

• Perry van der Heide,
• Michele Retini,
• Fabiola Fanini,
• Giovanni Piersanti,
• Francesco Secci,
• Daniele Mazzarella,
• Timothy Noël and
• Alberto Luridiana

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3274–3280, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.271

• , forming a new C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond. The reaction can be performed in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution and shows post-functionalization prospects through pathways involving classical peptide chemistry. Keywords: dehydroalanine; Giese-type reaction; hydroalkylation; photocatalysis; water

Advances in the use of metal-free tetrapyrrolic macrocycles as catalysts

• Mandeep K. Chahal

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3085–3112, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.257

• two macrocycles as metal-free catalysts. Keywords: calix[4]pyrroles; electrocatalysis; free-base porphyrins; organocatalysis; photocatalysis; tetrapyrrolic macrocycles; Introduction Tetrapyrrolic macrocycles are a class of cyclic compounds that contain four pyrrolic units in their ring. Examples of

• these macrocyclic catalysts is in a very nascent stage. In this review, the recent advancement in the field of metal-free macrocycles for catalysis will be summarized; mainly focused on porphyrins and calix[4]pyrroles and in the field of organocatalysis, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis. Review 1

• macrocycles as photoredox catalysts Supramolecular photocatalysis using different metal-free macrocyclic hosts, including cyclodextrins, cucurbiturils, porphyrins, and calixarenes has been extensively explored due to their unique characteristics, such as ease of modification, presence of hydrophobic cavities

Advances in radical peroxidation with hydroperoxides

• Oleg V. Bityukov,
• Pavel Yu. Serdyuchenko,
• Andrey S. Kirillov,
• Gennady I. Nikishin,
• Vera A. Vil’ and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2959–3006, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.249

• –peroxidation of alkenes 155 with TBHP and aldehydes 156 through visible-light photocatalysis was developed using fac-Ir(ppy)3 as the photoredox catalyst (Scheme 49) [113]. Under visible light irradiation, the excited state Ir(III)* is generated, and the single electron transfer of Ir(III)* with TBHP results in

A review of recent advances in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical late-stage functionalization classified by anodic oxidation, cathodic reduction, and paired electrolysis

• Nian Li,
• Ruzal Sitdikov,
• Ajit Prabhakar Kale,
• Joost Steverlynck,
• Bo Li and
• Magnus Rueping

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2500–2566, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.214

• electro- and photocatalysis can lead to highly precise electron-driven reactions that are otherwise inaccessible [61][62][63][64][65][66][67]. The photoelectrochemical method for the alkylation of C–H heteroarenes using organotrifluoroborates, developed by Xu and coworkers, has demonstrated excellent

• into a carbon radical intermediate. The photocatalyst then oxidizes this intermediate, leading to the final product (Scheme 45). This approach underscores the significant potential of combining electro- and photocatalysis to achieve selective and mild transformations in organic synthesis, particularly

Catalysing (organo-)catalysis: Trends in the application of machine learning to enantioselective organocatalysis

• Stefan P. Schmid,
• Leon Schlosser,
• Frank Glorius and
• Kjell Jorner

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2280–2304, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.196

Factors influencing the performance of organocatalysts immobilised on solid supports: A review

• Zsuzsanna Fehér,
• Dóra Richter,
• Gyula Dargó and
• József Kupai

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2129–2142, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.183

• their place among the efficient and robust catalysts on numerous occasions since the two seminal works [1][2] published in 2000. Since then, organocatalysis has been combined with many other areas of research, such as photocatalysis, electrochemistry and mechanochemistry [3][4][5], while List and

• ] reactions. POFs [102] are hydrocarbon systems that contain pores, of which COFs are a subgroup. POFs are widely applied in the fields of gas adsorption and storage, the separation of gases, catalysis, energy storage, photocatalysis, etc., and have many different types, such as hyper-cross-linked polymers

A facile three-component route to powerful 5-aryldeazaalloxazine photocatalysts

• Ivana Weisheitelová,
• Radek Cibulka,
• Marek Sikorski and
• Tetiana Pavlovska

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1831–1838, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.161

• potent, biologically active compounds. Interestingly, the introduction of a strong methoxy group at position 7 of the 5-aryldeazaalloxazine core led to a bathochromic shift in the absorption spectra of the synthesised molecules, making them more suitable for visible light photocatalysis. Experimental

Generation of alkyl and acyl radicals by visible-light photoredox catalysis: direct activation of C–O bonds in organic transformations

• Mithu Roy,
• Bitan Sardar,
• Itu Mallick and
• Dipankar Srimani

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1348–1375, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.119

• photocatalysis. The generated alkyl radicals then undergo the desired addition with alkyne to produce alkenyl radicals that via Ni-catalysed coupling reactions with aryl bromides form trisubstituted alkenes Z-selectively. Internal alkynes are not suitable for this transformation due to the steric reason, but

• recent photocatalysis methodologies in the field of C–O bond activation. As conventional techniques, such as Barton decarboxylation, create hazardous wastes, the use of alternative feedstocks, including alcohols and acids, has been encouraged to achieve sustainability. The recent advancements not only

Mechanistic investigations of polyaza[7]helicene in photoredox and energy transfer catalysis

• Johannes Rocker,
• Till J. B. Zähringer,
• Matthias Schmitz,
• Till Opatz and
• Christoph Kerzig

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1236–1245, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.106

• mechanism of the recently reported sulfonylation/arylation [45][46] reaction using laser flash photolysis (LFP). LFP is a powerful spectroscopic tool in photocatalysis that allows us not only to distinguish between energy and electron transfer but also to detect transient triplet states and radicals

Carbonylative synthesis and functionalization of indoles

• Alex De Salvo,
• Raffaella Mancuso and
• Xiao-Feng Wu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 973–1000, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.87

• interesting method toward indole-3-yl aryl ketones was reported by Zhang et al. Considering the ability of the aryldiazonium salts to act as aryl radical source, in presence of the suitable metal catalyst or taking advantage of photocatalysis, they decided to perform a direct carbonylation of indoles with

Regioselective quinazoline C2 modifications through the azide–tetrazole tautomeric equilibrium

• Dāgs Dāvis Līpiņš,
• Andris Jeminejs,
• Una Ušacka,
• Anatoly Mishnev,
• Māris Turks and
• Irina Novosjolova

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 675–683, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.61

• techniques employing transition-metal and photocatalysis [15][16]. These methods facilitate C–C bond formation, enabling the introduction of alkyl groups at the C2 position of quinazoline derivatives. While arylsulfanyl group rearrangement reactions have been documented by us for modifying 2,4-substituted

Green and sustainable approaches for the Friedel–Crafts reaction between aldehydes and indoles

• Periklis X. Kolagkis,
• Eirini M. Galathri and
• Christoforos G. Kokotos

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 379–426, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.36

• development of greener synthetic technologies, like photocatalysis, organocatalysis, the use of nanocatalysts, microwave irradiation, ball milling, continuous flow, and many more. Thus, in this review, we summarize the medicinal properties of BIMs and the developed BIM synthetic protocols, utilizing the

Mechanisms for radical reactions initiating from N-hydroxyphthalimide esters

• Carlos R. Azpilcueta-Nicolas and
• Jean-Philip Lumb

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 346–378, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.35

• , whereas the corresponding spirocycle in kadsulignan E was formed under Ir photocatalysis. In addition, photoinduced Pd catalysis was applied in the key macrocyclization

Visible-light-induced radical cascade cyclization: a catalyst-free synthetic approach to trifluoromethylated heterocycles

• Chuan Yang,
• Wei Shi,
• Jian Tian,
• Lin Guo,
• Yating Zhao and
• Wujiong Xia

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 118–124, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.12

• enables a rapid access to heterocycles containing a trifluoromethyl group. Keywords: cascade reaction; indole derivatives; photocatalysis; radical chain process; trifluoromethylation; Introduction Dihydropyrido[1,2-a]indolone (DHPI) skeletons are commonly found in natural products and pharmaceutical

Optimizing reaction conditions for the light-driven hydrogen evolution in a loop photoreactor

• Pengcheng Li,
• Daniel Kowalczyk,
• Johannes Liessem,
• Mohamed M. Elnagar,
• Dariusz Mitoraj,
• Radim Beranek and
• Dirk Ziegenbalg

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 74–91, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.9

• ) processes, and photocatalysis. Upon upscaling, both PV-E and PEC reactors exhibit pH gradients at electrodes and elevated solution electrical resistivity. These challenges arise from the substantial separation between reduction and oxidation sites, alongside mass transport restrictions in the liquid phase

Aromatic systems with two and three pyridine-2,6-dicarbazolyl-3,5-dicarbonitrile fragments as electron-transporting organic semiconductors exhibiting long-lived emissions

• Karolis Leitonas,
• Brigita Vigante,
• Dmytro Volyniuk,
• Audrius Bucinskas,
• Pavels Dimitrijevs,
• Sindija Lapcinska,
• Pavel Arsenyan and
• Juozas Vidas Grazulevicius

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1867–1880, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.139

• their application in photocatalysis has been recently published [9]. 2,6-Bis(4-cyanophenyl)-4-(9-phenyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)pyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile) exhibits two aggregate states in aqueous dispersions: amorphous nanospheres and ordered nanofibers with π–π molecular stacking. The nanofibers promoted

Recent advancements in iodide/phosphine-mediated photoredox radical reactions

• Tinglan Liu,
• Yu Zhou,
• Junhong Tang and
• Chengming Wang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1785–1803, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.131

• remarkable advances not only highlighted the synthetic potential of photocatalysis but also served as inspiration for future developments of low-cost photocatalysis based on other non-covalent interactions. The simplicity, practicality, and broad substrate scope demonstrated by these approaches further

• emphasized their significance in facilitating the synthesis of diverse compounds and paving the way for further advancements in the field of photocatalysis. The highly efficient construction of carbon–heteroatom (C–X) bonds is of significant importance in the fields of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and

• hydrogenation or hydrogen transfer [40], electrocatalysis coupled with water oxidation [41], and sustained visible-light-induced photocatalysis [42]. Among the different strategies available, the use of a mild photocatalytic process involving hole-driven hydrogen transfer with hydrogen donors or hole scavengers

Selectivity control towards CO versus H₂ for photo-driven CO₂ reduction with a novel Co(II) catalyst

• Lisa-Lou Gracia,
• Philip Henkel,
• Olaf Fuhr and
• Claudia Bizzarri

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1766–1775, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.129

• chosen solvent for photocatalysis. The absorption profile evokes the structured band of the free ligand BzQuTr [42], with two intense π–π* ligand-centered transitions at circa 319 nm and 330 nm (Figure 3). The pink solid dissolves as an intense blue DMA solution. Nevertheless, the d–d transitions

Organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence material with strained benzoguanidine donor

• Alexander C. Brannan,
• Elvie F. P. Beaumont,
• Nguyen Le Phuoc,
• George F. S. Whitehead,
• Mikko Linnolahti and
• Alexander S. Romanov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1289–1298, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.95

• fluorescence [1][2][3]. Organic TADF emitters have gained substantial attention in recent years for their prospective application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), photocatalysis, bioimaging, and sensors [4][5][6]. The ability to harvest both singlet and triplet excitons enable organic TADF emitters to

Radical ligand transfer: a general strategy for radical functionalization

• David T. Nemoto Jr,
• Kang-Jie Bian,
• Shih-Chieh Kao and
• Julian G. West

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1225–1233, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.90

• ; photocatalysis; radicals; Introduction The behavior of alkyl radicals has been studied rigorously for decades, though only recently have these come to be widely viewed as selective and useful synthetic intermediates [1][2][3][4]. This sea change has been driven by innovations in both the generation and

• quenched and functionalized through RLT. II: Modern catalysts developed for RLT catalysis. The incorporation of RLT catalysis in ATRA photocatalysis. I: The reported method is compatible with nucleophilic sources of chlorine groups, azide groups, and thioisocyanate groups. II: The proposed mechanism for

Enabling artificial photosynthesis systems with molecular recycling: A review of photo- and electrochemical methods for regenerating organic sacrificial electron donors

• Grace A. Lowe

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1198–1215, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.88

• sacrificial electron donors, and for researchers interested in designing new redox mediator and recyclable electron donor species. Keywords: artificial photosynthesis; photocatalysis; redox couple; sacrificial electron donor; solar fuels; Introduction Artificial photosynthesis research has resulted in the

• donors used in photoreduction catalysis for artificial photosynthesis. Specifically, organic electron or hydride donors usually applied in molecular photocatalysis. 2. Survey the literature from different fields and present a sample of potentially recyclable electron donors for artificial photosynthesis

• photocatalysis. Cyclic voltammetry carried out in standard conditions for mimicking an acetonitrile system had not been close enough to the catalytic conditions to get the required redox potentials. The difference between the oxidation potential of a sacrificial donor and the reduction potential of the excited