Title: Cycloadditions Using Photocatalysis Based on Earth-Abundant Metals

Abstract

The invention of novel metal-catalyzed cycloadditions can provide new entry into a diverse array of decorated ring structures. Toward the development of photocatalysts based on earth-abundant metals, our research group has been investigating a series of chromium-based complexes with bipyridyl and phenanthrolinyl ligand systems. These species, when activated by light, are capable of inducing electron transfer events, generating highly reactive intermediates that will engage with pi systems. In this seminar, we will discuss our investigations into these photocatalytic manifolds, demonstrating the capacity of these systems for initiating unique cycloadditions. Mechanistic implications and potential synthetic utility in these transformations will be described.