Electrophotochemical ligand-to-metal charge transfer catalysis: an emerging platform for sustainable synthesis

Abstract

Electrophotochemical ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) catalysis has contributed to advancing sustainable radical chemistry by exploiting both visible light and electricity as the clean energy inputs. Moreover, electrophotochemical LMCT catalysis not only be beneficial for selective activation of metal-bound ligands even in the presence of more electron-rich moieties, but also exhibits high functional group compatibility due to the low operating potentials resulting from the inherent inner-sphere reactivity mode. Here we highlight the advancements in the field of electrophotochemical LMCT catalysis, with an emphasis on the substrate scope, reaction limitations as well as mechanistic insights. At the end of this review, we provide our views on current challenges and future potential opportunities in this emerging field.