Photosensitized, energy transfer-mediated organometallic catalysis through electronically excited nickel(II)

Transition metal catalysis has traditionally relied on organometallic complexes that can cycle through a series of ground-state oxidation levels to achieve a series of discrete yet fundamental fragment-coupling steps. The viability of excited-state organometallic catalysis via direct photoexcitation has been demonstrated. Although the utility of triplet sensitization by energy transfer has long been known as a powerful activation mode in organic photochemistry, it is surprising to recognize that photosensitization mechanisms to access excited-state organometallic catalysts have lagged far behind. Here, we demonstrate excited-state organometallic catalysis via such an activation pathway: Energy transfer from an…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: CHE-1300096
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: R01 GM078201-05
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences