Sustainable Synthesis through Catalyst-Free Photoinduced Cascaded Bond Formation

Chem Asian J. 2024 May 8:e202400279. doi: 10.1002/asia.202400279. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

The beginning of photochemical reactions revolutionized synthetic chemistry through sustainable practices. This review explores cutting-edge developments in leveraging light-induced processes for generating cascaded C-C and C-hetero bonds without catalysts. Significantly, catalyst-free photoinduced methodologies have garnered considerable attention, especially in the creation of varied heterocyclic frameworks for drug design and the synthesis of natural products. The article delves into underlying mechanisms, addresses limitations, and evaluates various methodologies, emphasizing the potential of photocatalyst and transition metal-free photochemical reactions to enhance sustainability. Divided into two sections, it covers recent strides in C-C and C-heteroatom and multiple C-heteroatom bond formation reactions.

Keywords: Cascade Reactions; Catalyst-free; Photoinduced; Transition-Metal-free; Visible-light.