Photoredox catalysis is a growing field for new reactions discovery that has already proven its applicability not only in organic synthesis but in other chemical areas. Its success is based on the mild reaction conditions used, its broad application and the selectivity that the use of photocatalysts as intermediates offer in organic transformations. Since these reactions are triggered initially by visible light, a renewable and mild energy source, they are a desirable alternative to purely chemical reactions. Furthermore, the formation of radical species during the reactions allows for great chemoselectivity and the formation of bonds that would not be possible through ionic species. In this context, Ru- and Ir-based photocatalysts, such as Ru(bpy)3Cl2 or Ir(ppy)3, are the most popular in this field due to their long lived excited states, their robustness and the high oxidation and reduction potentials achieved after the initial excitation. However, Ru and Ir are noble metals and, as this field grows, finding new photocatalysts with similar properties but based in non-noble metals is desirable in terms of both cost and sustainability. In this regard, we present our initial findings in the photocatalytic properties of a Ni-based organometallic complex. We have demonstrated its role as photocatalyst in a known cyclization reaction that was initially discovered to undergo using Ru(bpy)3Cl2, thus proving the potential of our Ni-based complex as new photocatalyst.

Application and study of a new Ni-based photocatalyst

256th National Meeting (2018)

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