Enantioselective photoredox reactions couple a photoredox catalyst with a chiral catalyst and have demonstrated significant synthetic potential. Our research is focused on the development of copper(I) photocatalysts for use in enantioselective photoredox reactions. Bis(phenanthroline) copper complexes have similar photophysical properties to known photocatalysts, such as Ru(bpy)32+ and Ir(ppy)3. However, copper has the benefit of being less expensive and less toxic. We are evaluating bis(phenanthroline) copper(I) complexes as catalysts in the α-benzylation of aldehydes, an enantioselective reaction that also requires a chiral catalyst. Cu(dap)2Cl (where dap = 2,9-bis(p-anisyl)-1,10-phenanthroline) has been identified as the optimal catalyst. Optimization of reaction conditions and the evaluation of the reaction scope shall be discussed.

Investigating the use of copper photoredox catalysts in an enantioselective reaction

249th National Meeting (2015)

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