Norrish' type I and II reactions and their role in the building of photochemical science.

The highly inspiring work by Professor Norrish has exerted a consistent influence on chemistry and, in particular, on photochemistry, where he was one of the first scientists, along with Gilbert N. Lewis, able to develop a viable concept of excited states and their rate of reaction. However, having him listed among the authors of two name reactions, known as Norrish Type I and Type II, plus a subcase of the latter that is the Yang cyclization, is not coherent. Indeed, Norrish had no interest in organic synthesis, while this is a required feature of name reactions. And, at any rate, Professors Ciamician and Paternò had arrived at the same conclusions with the same compounds much earlier, except for the measurement of quantum yields. Things are too long away now for introducing any change, but one should remember that using Norrish name here is a mistake, while it would be appropriate to add the name of Ciamician for a different name reaction, the 2 + 2 cycloaddition of alkenes and conjugated carbonyls. In 1968, such an attribution was proposed by Professor Schömberg, but this had no effect and the present assignment has become a habit. The most important thing, however, is that the 2 + 2 reaction has become one of the most popular reactions in synthetic photochemistry.

Photochemical Co-Oxidation of Sulfides and Phosphines with Tris( p-bromophenyl)amine. A Mechanistic Study.

The photochemistry of tris( p-bromophenyl)amine was investigated in a nitrogen- and oxygen-flushed solution under laser flash photolysis conditions. The detected intermediates were the corresponding amine radical cation ("Magic Blue") and the N-phenyl-4a,4b-dihydrocarbazole radical cation that, under an oxygen atmosphere, is converted to the corresponding hydroperoxyl radical. The role of the last species was supported by the smooth co-oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides. On the other hand, co-oxidation of nucleophilic triarylphosphines to triarylphosphine oxides arose from an electron transfer between the photogenerated "Magic Blue" and phosphine that prevented the amine cyclization. In this case, intermediate Ar3POO•+ was found to play a key role in phosphine oxide formation.

Direct Irradiaton of Aryl Sulfides: Homolytic Fragmentation and Sensitized S-Oxidation.

The direct irradiation of diphenyl sulfide and p-substituted thioanisoles in the presence of oxygen was investigated by means of both steady state and laser flash photolysis experiments. Two competitive pathways took place from the triplet excited state of thioanisoles, C-S bond cleavage, finally leading to aryl sulfinic acid and sensitized oxidation leading to S-oxidation. Co-oxidation of dodecyl methyl sulfide occurred efficiently implying that an S-persulfoxide intermediate is involved during the sensitized oxidation. On the other hand, triplet state of diphenyl sulfide also showed competitive C-S bond cleavage giving phenyl sulfinic acid and ionization to diphenyl sulfide radical cation that in turn led to diphenyl sulfoxide. The rate constants of the above reactions were determined by time-resolved experiments.

Singlet vs Triplet Reactivity of Photogenerated α,n-Didehydrotoluenes.

The reactivity of α,n-didehydrotoluenes (DHTs) in protic media (organic/aqueous mixtures) was explored by means of a combined computational and experimental approach. These intermediates were generated via a photoinduced double elimination process occurring in (chlorobenzyl)trimethylsilanes and led to the formation of a varied products distribution, depending on the isomer tested. Irradiation of ortho- and para-derivatives resulted, respectively, in the formation of triplet α,2- and α,4-DHTs, whose diradical reactivity led to both radical and polar products. On the other hand, irradiation of the meta-precursor led to the singlet α,3-DHT isomer. The latter showed a marked preference for the formation of polar products and this was rationalized, as supported by computational evidence, via the involvement of a zwitterionic species arising through interaction of the nucleophilic solvent with the benzylic position of the DHT.

On the Route to the Photogeneration of Heteroaryl Cations. The Case of Halothiophenes.

2-Chloro-, 2-bromo-, and 2-iodothiophenes undergo photochemical dehalogenation via the triplet state. In the presence of suitable π-bond nucleophiles, thienylation occurs with modest yield from chloro and bromo derivatives (via photogenerated triplet 2-thienyl cation). Specific trapping by using oxygen along with computational analysis carried out by means of a density functional method support that, in the case of iodo derivatives, homolytic thienyl-I bond fragmentation occurs first and heteroaryl cations are formed by electron transfer within the triplet radical pair, thus opening an indirect access to such cations.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-vs Peroxyl-Mediated Photosensitized Oxidation of Triphenylphosphine: A Comparative Study.

The oxidation of triphenylphosphine in the presence of various photocatalytic systems (dicyanoanthracene/biphenyl, N-methylquinolinium, triphenylpyrylium, and thiatriphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate) was investigated by means of both steady state and laser flash photolysis experiments. The effect of different additives (including 1,4-benzoquinone, diphenylsulfoxide, tetramethylethylene, and sodium azide) on the photosensitized oxidation was investigated in order to fully characterize the involved intermediates. Photoinduced electron transfer and final regeneration of the catalyst occur when dicyanoanthracene and N-methylquinolinium are used, while in cage oxygen transfer to the photoexcited (thio)pyrylium derivatives have been characterized in the last two cases.

Some remarks on the first law of photochemistry.

The first law of photochemistry stating that light has to be adsorbed in order to cause a photochemical reaction is usually attributed to T. Grotthuss and J. W. Draper, but quite similar observations were earlier reported by J. Beccari. Some key issues in the formulation of this law are briefly discussed.

Revising the Role of a Dioxirane as an Intermediate in the Uncatalyzed Hydroperoxidation of Cyclohexanone in Water.

The mechanism of the oxidation of cyclohexanone with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide has been investigated. Experiments revealed the preliminary formation of an intermediate, identified as cyclohexylidene dioxirane, in equilibrium with the ketone, followed by formation of 1-hydroperoxycyclohexanol (Criegee adduct). Computational analysis with explicit inclusion of up to two water molecules rationalized the formation of the dioxirane intermediate via addition of the hydroperoxide anion to the ketone and revealed that this species is not involved in the formation of the Criegee adduct. The direct addition of hydrogen peroxide to the ketone is predicted to be favored over hydrolysis of the dioxirane, the latter in competition with ring opening to carbonyl oxide followed by hydration. However, dioxirane may account for the formation of the bis-hydroperoxide derivative.

Energy and molecules from photochemical/photocatalytic reactions. An overview.

Photocatalytic reactions have been defined as those processes that require both a (not consumed) catalyst and light. A previous definition was whether such reactions brought a system towards or away from the (thermal) equilibrium. This consideration brings in the question whether a part of the photon energy is incorporated into the photochemical reaction products. Data are provided for representative organic reactions involving or not molecular catalysts and show that energy storage occurs only when a heavily strained structure is generated, and in that case only a minor part of photon energy is actually stored (ΔG up to 25 kcal·mol-1). The green role of photochemistry/photocatalysis is rather that of forming highly reactive intermediates under mild conditions.

Competing pathways in the photogeneration of didehydrotoluenes from (Trimethylsilylmethyl)aryl sulfonates and phosphates.

The scope of the photochemical generation of α,n-didehydrotoluene diradicals from aryl sulfonates and phosphates and their chemistry are explored. The thermally inaccessible α,2- and α,4- intermediates are efficiently obtained by irradiation of ortho- and para-(trimethylsilylmethyl)phenyl triflates through heterolytic splitting of the ester anion from the substrate in the triplet state. Triplet phenyl cations are formed and the loss of trimethylsilyl cation from them affords the desired diradicals ((3) Me3 SiCH2 C6 H4 -OZ→(3) Me3 SiCH2 C6 H4 (+) →(⋅) CH2 C6 H4 (⋅)). Triplet sensitization is required, for which acetone is used throughout. Direct irradiation leads, on the contrary, to photo-Fries fragmentation ((1) Me3 SiCH2 C6 H4 O-Z→Me3 SiCH2 C6 H4 O(⋅) +Z(⋅)). With mesylates, where ester cleavage is less convenient, a further competition from the triplet is direct desilylation. Didehydrotoluenes are also obtained from the corresponding phosphates, although with poor efficiency.

Photocatalytic generation of solar fuels from the reduction of H2O and CO2: a look at the patent literature.

The application of photocatalysis in environment remediation as well as in the generation of useful fuels from the reduction of water (hydrogen) and of carbon dioxide (methanol, carbon monoxide and/or methane) has been investigated largely in the last four decades. A significant part (12-13%) of the literature on the generation of such fuels is found in patents. Accordingly, the present article presents a selection of the patent literature on the theme. Photocatalysts, whether pure or doped, solid solutions or composites, reported in patents are reviewed along with the corresponding preparative methods and the photocatalytic performance. The absorption of light by such materials has been extended toward the red side of the spectrum, so that a better use of solar irradiation has been obtained, but the expected improvement of the catalytic effect has not always been achieved. The causes of these results and the way for improving the performance in the various steps of the process (e.g. avoiding charge recombination or catalyst corrosion) have been documented. The correct use of the term water splitting and the fundamentals of photochemical hydrogen evolution in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor (e.g., alcohols) are discussed. Quantitative data about the amount of hydrogen evolved or carbon-based fuels produced are indicated whenever available.

Photoorganocatalysis. What for?

In the reactions reviewed, an organic molecule under irradiation catalyzes a chemical reaction. The activation is based either on hydrogen or on electron transfer. Commonly used photoorganocatalysts are aromatic ketones, quinones, heterocycles, dyes; intermediates formed are radicals, radical ions and ions from precursors such as alkanes, alkenes, amines, ethers etc. Oxidation (mainly oxygenation) and reduction processes are obtained along with the α-functionalization of amines and ketones, conjugate additions, cycloadditions etc. The key characteristic of the method is the smooth generation of highly reactive intermediates under mild conditions.

From phenyl chlorides to α,n-didehydrotoluenes via phenyl cations. A CPCM-CASMP2 investigation.

Calculations with the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method were carried out for rationalizing the photochemical generation of the three isomeric didehydrotoluenes (DHTs) from the corresponding (n-chlorobenzyl)trimethylsilanes. Moreover, the original CASSCF energies were corrected through the introduction of the dynamic electron correlation term (at the MP2 level) and of an appropriate solvent model (CPCM). The work demonstrated the viability of intersystem crossing (conical intersection located) leading to the lowest lying triplet state of the silanes that fragments to give the corresponding triplet phenyl cations. The para- and ortho-isomers desilylate directly from such states of radical/radical cation character and yield the corresponding DHTs in their triplet state. Different from the other isomers, the meta-cation has a radical/radical cation structure in both spin states and thus two potential accesses to the different spin states of the corresponding DHT.

Transition-metal-free arylations via photogenerated triplet 4-alkyl- and 4-trimethylsilylphenyl cations.

The irradiation in protic solvents of 4-chloroalkylbenzenes and 4-chlorophenyltrimethylsilane caused the heterolytic cleavage of aryl-chlorine bonds to give the corresponding triplet phenyl cations. These were exploited for transition-metal-free arylation reactions under mild conditions to give allylbenzenes, γ-benzyl lactones, 3-arylacetals (ketals), and biaryls in moderate to good yields. The path followed was supported by DFT calculations at the UB3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p) level.

Electronic and EPR spectra of the species involved in [W10O32]4- photocatalysis. A relativistic DFT investigation.

The decatungstate anion [W(10)O(32)](4-) is widely used as a photocatalyst in different transformations, during which it undergoes one-electron reduction to [W(10)O(32)](5-), possibly protonated; the bi-reduced species [W(10)O(32)](6-) is obtained by ensuing disproportionation. Relativistic DFT calculations were used to predict the UV-VIS spectra and EPR parameters of all such species.

Spectroscopic characterization of photoaccumulated radical anions: a litmus test to evaluate the efficiency of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) processes.

Steady-state irradiation in neat acetonitrile of some aromatic nitriles, imides and esters (10(-5)-10(-3) M solution) in the presence of tertiary amines allowed the accumulation of the corresponding radical anions, up to quantitative yield for polysubstituted benzenes and partially with naphthalene and anthracene derivatives. The condition for such an accumulation was that the donor radical cation underwent further evolution that precluded back electron transfer and any chemical reaction with the radical anion. In fact, no accumulation occurred with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), for which this condition is not possible. The radical anions were produced from benzene polyesters too, but decomposition began early. Ipso substitution was one of the paths with secondary amines and the only reaction with tetrabutylstannane. The results fully support the previously proposed mechanism for electron transfer (ET) mediated photochemical alkylation of aromatic acceptors via radical ions and radical intermediates.

Probing for a leaving group effect on the generation and reactivity of phenyl cations.

Phenyl cations are smoothly generated by the photoheterolytic cleavage of an Ar-LG bond (LG = leaving group). With the aim of evaluating the scope of the method, a series of 4-methoxy-2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl derivatives (sulfonic, LG = MeSO(3) and CF(3)SO(3), phosphate, LG = (EtO)(2)(O)PO esters and the corresponding chloride) have been compared as probes for evaluating the leaving group ability. The photocleavage was a general reaction, with the somewhat surprising order (EtO)(2)(O)PO ∼ Cl > CF(3)SO(3) > MeSO(3) (Φ = 0.50 to 0.16 in CF(3)CH(2)OH and lower values in MeCN-H(2)O). The ensuing reactions did not depend on the LGs but only on the structure of the phenyl cation (the silyl group tuned the triplet to singlet intersystem crossing and the electrophilicity) and on the medium (formation of a complex with water slowed the electrophilic reactions).

A photochemical route to 2-substituted benzo[b]furans.

2-Substituted benzo[b]furans were synthesized by a one-step metal-free photochemical reaction between 2-chlorophenol derivatives and terminal alkynes by tandem formation of an aryl-C and a C-O bond via an aryl cation intermediate. The mild conditions and the application to chlorophenols rather of the more expensive bromo or iodo analogues makes this procedure environmentally convenient.

Acetalization allows the photoheterolysis of the Ar-Cl bond in chlorobenzaldehydes and chloroacetophenones.

The nonaccessibility of phenyl cations by irradiation of electron-poor aryl chlorides was circumvented by transforming the carbonyl group of aromatic ketones or aldehydes into the corresponding 1,3-dioxolanes and the carboxyl group of benzoate ester into an orthoester functionality. This transformation allowed the heterolytic photoactivation of the Ar-Cl bond in protic media and the generation of phenyl cations. In the presence of π-bond nucleophiles, arylated products were obtained in good to excellent yields.

Chemical reaction networks as a model to describe UVC- and radiolytically-induced reactions of simple compounds.

When a chemical system is submitted to high energy sources (UV, ionizing radiation, plasma sparks, etc.), as is expected to be the case of prebiotic chemistry studies, a plethora of reactive intermediates could form. If oxygen is present in excess, carbon dioxide and water are the major products. More interesting is the case of reducing conditions where synthetic pathways are also possible. This article examines the theoretical modeling of such systems with random-generated chemical networks. Four types of random-generated chemical networks were considered that originated from a combination of two connection topologies (viz., Poisson and scale-free) with reversible and irreversible chemical reactions. The results were analyzed taking into account the number of the most abundant products required for reaching 50% of the total number of moles of compounds at equilibrium, as this may be related to an actual problem of complex mixture analysis. The model accounts for multi-component reaction systems with no a priori knowledge of reacting species and the intermediates involved if system components are sufficiently interconnected. The approach taken is relevant to an earlier study on reactions that may have occurred in prebiotic systems where only a few compounds were detected. A validation of the model was attained on the basis of results of UVC and radiolytic reactions of prebiotic mixtures of low molecular weight compounds likely present on the primeval Earth.