Throwing Light on Synthetic Molecular Photoelectrocatalysis (Part II): selected recent transformations of organic compounds and a future perspective in organic synthesis

Abstract

Photoredox catalysis (PRC) and organic electrosynthesis (OES) have demonstrated their value in activating molecules and achieving important chemical transformations that would be impossible by other conventional strategies. Although there are specific situations where these techniques have yet to be effective alone, their combination, molecular photoelectrocatalysis (M-PEC), has made it possible to achieve transformations of molecules with otherwise unattainable redox potentials. In this current opinion, we analyze how M-PEC has enhanced or unlocked some selected transformations. Particularly, M-PEC variants of olefination, imine reduction, oxygenation of C(sp3)-H bonds, C(sp²)-H trifluoromethylation, C(sp²)-F functionalization, C(sp³)-X borylation will be revised and compared to their PRC and OES counterparts to highlight the importance of adapting (or combining) both techniques in constructing molecules. Also, a section related to asymmetric M-PEC is reviewed.