Conventional synthetic protocols for developing natural products and bio-active molecular building blocks are not environment friendly and have low atom economy.1 In recent years, many research groups have discovered an alternative concept using visible light photocatalysis2 in order to reduce the use of toxic/harmful reagents. Although this methodology shows great promises, it does not meet all aspect of green chemistry protocols, as the reactions are not performed in aqueous solution. Our group is trying to advance this methodology to meet green chemistry principles by using phase transfer catalysts to achieve photochemical reactions in water. In this project, we are using nano-cavitands such as cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and beta-cyclodextrin (BCD), which act as phase transfer catalysts to bring water insoluble organic compounds, such as coumarin and coumarin-1, into aqueous solution. In these studies, we have primarily focused on defining the kinetics of the transport of the organic guest molecules into the aqueous phase using CB[7] and BCD. We utilized UV-vis spectroscopy techniques to ascertain our hypothesis. The poster presentation will describe our hypothesis, methodology and preliminary kinetic results of the (host:guest) complexations under biphasic conditions.

Toward biphasic photocatalysis using water-soluble nano cavities as phase transfer catalysts: Kinetic studies of the host:guest complexation

2019 Spring National Meeting

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