Publication date: 21st July 2025
A single photon in the UV-vis range of the electromagnetic spectrum carries 2–4 eV of energy. Upon absorption of such a photon, graphitic carbon nitride converts this energy into a potential difference that can drive the generation of a radical or radical ion from an organic molecule through one-electron reduction or oxidation, or hydrogen atom abstraction. Radicals and radical ions are more reactive than their parent organic molecules. Therefore, these species generally react without an energy barrier with suitable reactants. Based on ten years of research, this lecture covers two major aspects:
1) It provides an overview of the structural features of graphitic carbon nitrides that can be employed to design new organic reactions and improve the quantum yield of known ones.[1],[2]
2) It offers concise guidelines on how to choose the “right” organic precursors to synthesize target products.[3]
A speaker will also share his experience in popularization of photocatalysis through video gaming.