Red Light-Mediated Organic Synthesis Reactions

doi:10.6023/cjoc202604030

Abstract

The rapid advancement of photochemistry has enabled significant technological breakthroughs in visible light-mediated organic synthesis. Within this progress, red light has emerged as a focal area of research due to its distinctive photophysical and biological advantages: longer wavelength, lower photon energy, minimal phototoxicity toward biological systems, and reduced generation of undesired side products. Compared with conventional ultraviolet (UV) and blue light-driven catalytic systems, red light-mediated catalysis permits efficient and selective organic transformations under mild reaction conditions, thereby suppressing non-specific side reactions and enhancing synthetic control. In this review, we systematically survey recent developments in red light-driven organic synthesis. Reactions are classified into five mechanistic categories: single-electron transfer (SET), energy transfer (EnT), metal-ligand bond homolysis, direct substrate excitation, and photoenzymatic catalysis. For each category, we provide a rigorous analysis of representative transformations, key operational parameters governing selectivity and efficiency, and current mechanistic understanding. Collectively, this work offers a consolidated conceptual framework and identifies promising avenues for future investigation and practical implementation of red light-enabled synthetic methodologies.

Key words: red light, organic synthesis, radical, reaction mechanism

Cite this article

Zhang Linghong, Kong Manman, Zhaoxia Zhang, Jiang Zhiyong. Red Light-Mediated Organic Synthesis Reactions[J]. Chinese Journal of Organic Chemistry, doi: 10.6023/cjoc202604030.

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