2024 Theses Doctoral

Applications of Red-Light Photoredox Catalysis: from Polymer Chemistry to Protein Labeling

Cabanero, David C.

With the advent of photoredox catalysis, new synthetic paradigms have been established with increasing numbers of novel transformations being achieved. Nevertheless, modern photoredox chemistry has several drawbacks in efficiency, scalability, and light penetration. In this dissertation, we document developments in photoredox catalysis that harvest red light (600- 800 nm) and demonstrate its applications in polymer science and chemical biology.

First, a method towards the red-light activation and control of olefin metathesis will be discussed. This system employs a mixed, bis-N-heterocyclic carbene coordinated ruthenium indenylidene complex in conjunction with an osmium(II) complex under red light irradiation. Mechanistic investigation suggests a reduction of a cationic Ru species, to lead to the active metathesis species. Expectedly, polymerization through barriers is achieved with red light only.

Material penetration, including mammalian tissue, and limited photocytotoxicity brings red light photoredox catalysis in the forefront of biological applications such as photoproximity labeling. This proceeds through the photocatalytic generation of reactive intermediates, the lifetimes of which dictate the spatial resolution of labeling. We thus describe a method to activate aryl(trifluoromethyl) diazos using an osmium(II) catalyst and red light, providing highly reactive, short-lived carbenes. The short lifetime of the carbene is highlighted by its ability to map small molecules to target proteins, a feat even nitrenes cannot achieve. Finally, efforts towards the synthesis of a wash-free fluorogenic photocatalyst with applications for intracellular red light photoproximity labeling will be described.