Synthesis of the tetracyclic skeleton of Aspidosperma alkaloids via PET-initiated cationic radical-derived interrupted [2 + 2]/retro-Mannich reaction

• Ru-Dong Liu,
• Jian-Yu Long,
• Zhi-Lin Song,
• Zhen Yang and
• Zhong-Chao Zhang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2470–2478, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.189

• valuable strategy for synthesizing natural and unnatural products from simple building blocks [4]. Three distinct photoinitiated approaches have been established for the formation of the [2 + 2] cycloadducts: direct irradiation [5][6], energy transfer (EnT) [7], and photoinduced electron transfer (PET, or

Rotaxanes with integrated photoswitches: design principles, functional behavior, and emerging applications

• Jullyane Emi Matsushima,
• Khushbu,
• Zuliah Abdulsalam,
• Udyogi Navodya Kulathilaka Conthagamage and
• Víctor García-López

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2345–2366, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.179

• , spirobenzopyran, stilbene and stiff-stilbene (Figure 2). Systems whose photoinduced behavior primarily depends on photoredox or energy-transfer mechanisms fall outside the scope of this review. Review Rotaxanes featuring photoswitches on the axle Rotaxanes that incorporate photoswitchable units into the axle are

• . Although no shuttling or energy transfer process was observed, both rotaxanes presented good photoisomerization behavior. Remarkably, the use of cucurbit[6]uril macrocycles enhanced the photoisomerization. Later, Liu and co-workers designed a symmetric [3]rotaxane where the pH-responsive shuttling motion

• content, compared to pure acetonitrile. Photocyclization of the dithienylethene with UV light quenches the fluorescence of the TPE due to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the TPE (donor) and the closed dithienylethene (acceptor). Irradiation with visible light triggers the cycloreversion

Enantioselective radical chemistry: a bright future ahead

• Anna C. Renner,
• Sagar S. Thorat,
• Hariharaputhiran Subramanian and
• Mukund P. Sibi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2283–2296, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.174

• preparation of chiral β-aminoalcohols [63]. Chiral copper(I) complexes convert imidate radicals, formed transiently through energy-transfer catalysis, to oxazolines. The transformation includes a regioselective and enantioselective HAT process. Upon blue LED irradiation, oxime imidates (derived from alcohols

Photoswitches beyond azobenzene: a beginner’s guide

• Michela Marcon,
• Christoph Haag and
• Burkhard König

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1808–1853, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.143

Photocatalysis and photochemistry in organic synthesis

• Timothy Noël and
• Bartholomäus Pieber

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1645–1647, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.128

• in the presence of electron donors and acceptors. Furthermore, [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 can engage in Förster and Dexter energy transfer processes, enabling the transfer of excited-state energy to molecules that do not themselves absorb visible light. This versatility is arguably the reason for the tremendous

• ], hydrogen atom transfer [22], halogen atom transfer [23], and energy transfer catalysis [24][25] – have been established as powerful additions to the arsenal of photon-driven reactions. Three articles in this thematic issue exemplify this: The Molloy group developed an intramolecular [2 + 2]-cycloaddition

• of alkenylboronic esters using energy transfer catalysis [26]. Gualandi and co-workers leveraged a combination of photoredox and HAT catalysis to realize the intramolecular nucleophilic amidation of alkenes with β-lactams [27]. Further, Luridiana and colleagues developed a method for the alkylation

Oxetanes: formation, reactivity and total syntheses of natural products

• Peter Gabko,
• Martin Kalník and
• Maroš Bella

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1324–1373, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.101

• by the same research group [65][66], the Ir catalyst initially interacts through hydrogen bonds with the quinolone substrate 84, and then upon irradiation, energy transfer occurs to the unbound ketone which enantioselectively reacts with the bound quinolone. Unfortunately, investigations of the

• epimerisation to obtain diastereoenriched spirocycles, utilising t-BuOK/t-BuOH for the anti-diastereomer 163 and LDA/PivOH at −78 °C for the syn-diastereomer 162 (dr >10:1 in both protocols). Mechanistic and computational studies suggested the following series of steps: excitation of 159 via energy transfer

Recent advances in synthetic approaches for bioactive cinnamic acid derivatives

• Betty A. Kustiana,
• Galuh Widiyarti and
• Teni Ernawati

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1031–1086, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.85

On the photoluminescence in triarylmethyl-centered mono-, di-, and multiradicals

• Daniel Straub,
• Markus Gross,
• Mona E. Arnold,
• Julia Zolg and
• Alexander J. C. Kuehne

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 964–998, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.80

Study of tribenzo[b,d,f]azepine as donor in D–A photocatalysts

• Katy Medrano-Uribe,
• Jorge Humbrías-Martín and
• Luca Dell’Amico

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 935–944, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.76

• (RAFT) polymerization [18]. Moreover, in 2022, Zysman-Colman and collaborators showed that molecule 3, initially synthesized as a TADF (thermally activated delayed fluorescence) emitter [14], can be used as a PC under electron-transfer (ET) and energy-transfer (EnT) processes (Figure 1a) [19]. All the

Light-enabled intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition via photoactivation of simple alkenylboronic esters

• Lewis McGhie,
• Hannah M. Kortman,
• Jenna Rumpf,
• Peter H. Seeberger and
• John J. Molloy

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 854–863, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.69

• , Germany 10.3762/bjoc.21.69 Abstract The photoactivation of organic molecules via energy transfer (EnT) catalysis is often limited to conjugated systems that have low-energy triplet excited states, with simple alkenes remaining an intractable challenge. The ability to address this limitation, using high

• , and control reactions support sensitization, enabling an intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition to be realized accessing 3D bicyclic fragments containing a boron handle. Keywords: boron; catalysis; [2 + 2] cycloaddition; energy transfer; photochemistry; Introduction The strategic use of a photon to

• prohibitively high in energy for selective reactivity [5]. The inception of energy transfer catalysis (EnT) has expedited discoveries concerning the photoactivation of organic molecules [15][16][17], enabling direct access to the triplet excited state through the use of a photocatalyst (Figure 1A, top

Photocatalyzed elaboration of antibody-based bioconjugates

• Marine Le Stum,
• Eugénie Romero and
• Gary A. Molander

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 616–629, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.49

• catalysts, including photoredox catalysts, energy-transfer catalysts, and genetically encoded photocatalysts, highlighting their distinct features, mechanisms, applications, and prospects [41]. This thorough analysis showcased the promising advancements in the chemical modification of proteins. As this

• oxygen [42]. Through energy transfer (EnT) from the ruthenium-based photocatalyst to triplet oxygen, singlet oxygen is produced in a targeted manner, which oxidizes histidine to an endoperoxide, significantly increasing its reactivity toward nucleophiles (Figure 4A). This strategy employs a

• a photoredox reaction, whereas when embedded within the protein, the Ru-based ArM complex promoted histidine modification through an energy-transfer mechanism (Figure 5). Based on DFT calculations, this is permitted by the modification of the energy diagram of the ruthenium complex in the presence

Photomechanochemistry: harnessing mechanical forces to enhance photochemical reactions

• Francesco Mele,
• Ana M. Constantin,
• Andrea Porcheddu,
• Raimondo Maggi,
• Giovanni Maestri,
• Nicola Della Ca’ and
• Luca Capaldo

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 458–472, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.33

• transform molecules. Intriguingly, photocatalysts typically absorb harmless visible light and can be chosen ad hoc to trigger the desired chemistry. Indeed, the photocatalyst–substrate interaction can occur via energy transfer [4][5][6][7][8], single-electron transfer [9][10][11][12], or hydrogen-atom

Red light excitation: illuminating photocatalysis in a new spectrum

• Lucas Fortier,
• Corentin Lefebvre and
• Norbert Hoffmann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 296–326, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.22

• organic photocatalysts. Unlike metal-based systems, organic photocatalysts such as phthalocyanins, squaraines and cyanins, offer effective electron and energy transfer under red-light irradiation without relying on transition metals. This shift towards organic catalysts opens new possibilities for

• plausible mechanisms: a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between the 3MLCT state of the copper complex and DCA or a triplet–triplet energy transfer (TTET) between the 3MLCT state of the copper complex and DCA. In both of these mechanisms, the involvement of a doublet excited-state of the radical anion

• raises the energy of metal-centered states and minimizes non-radiative decay pathways. This design results in prolonged MLCT excited states, making these complexes suitable for challenging triplet–triplet energy transfer (TTET) and photoredox catalysis reactions such as hydrodehalogenation of aryl

Multicomponent reactions driving the discovery and optimization of agents targeting central nervous system pathologies

• Lucía Campos-Prieto,
• Aitor García-Rey,
• Eddy Sotelo and
• Ana Mallo-Abreu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3151–3173, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.261

• conducted at a concentration of 10 μM, with donepezil serving as a positive control. To measure their impact on cellular tau oligomerization, the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal intensity was quantified in a cellular tau FRET assay at the same 10 μM concentration, using MK-886, a known

Controlled oligomerization of [1.1.1]propellane through radical polarity matching: selective synthesis of SF₅- and CF₃SF₄-containing [2]staffanes

• Jón Atiba Buldt,
• Wang-Yeuk Kong,
• Yannick Kraemer,
• Masiel M. Belsuzarri,
• Ansh Hiten Patel,
• James C. Fettinger,
• Dean J. Tantillo and
• Cody Ross Pitts

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3134–3143, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.259

• nanotechnology [5], liquid crystal design [6][7][8][9][10], and the study of energy-transfer [11][12] or electron-transfer [13][14][15][16][17] processes. We also posit that lower-order [n]staffanes (i.e., n = 2 or 3) are potentially valuable C(sp3)-rich bioisosteres [18][19] that have been seemingly overlooked

Advances in the use of metal-free tetrapyrrolic macrocycles as catalysts

• Mandeep K. Chahal

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3085–3112, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.257

• to absorb significant amounts of visible light photons, which allows them to reach an excited state. The excited porphyrin molecule is likely to undergo energy transfer (ET; photosensitization) or single-electron transfer (SET; photoredox catalysis) to substrate molecules (Figure 13). In

• and a photosensitizer, facilitating photoinduced electron transfer (PET) to form the active cation radical B, and intersystem crossing (ISC) for energy transfer to generate the triplet carbene C. Radical B then reacted with biradical C, producing the new radical D, which accepted an electron from the

• macrocycles as photocatalysts in organic synthesis, involving both single electron transfer (SET) and energy transfer (ET) mechanistic approaches [84]. This review does not only focus on the metal-free porphyrin macrocycles, but it also covers the area of different porphyrinoid systems, such as heteroatom

Extension of the π-system of monoaryl-substituted norbornadienes with acetylene bridges: influence on the photochemical conversion and storage of light energy

• Robin Schulte,
• Dustin Schade,
• Thomas Paululat,
• Till J. B. Zähringer,
• Christoph Kerzig and
• Heiko Ihmels

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3061–3068, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.254

• spectra were observed. In the case of compounds 1j and 1n, the endpoint of the photoreaction could not be identified, as a steady decrease of the whole absorption spectra during irradiation indicated secondary decomposition reactions. We previously reported triplet energy transfer between 3[Ru(phen)3](PF6

• alkynylbenzene and alkynylnaphthalene core is also feasible. Quenching experiments of [Ru(phen)3](PF6)2 (triplet energy ET = 2.19 eV [39]) with 1i in acetonitrile yielded a triplet energy transfer rate of kEnT = 5.8 × 109 M−1 s−1 indicating very efficient deactivation of the triplet sensitizer (Figure S4 in

Cyclodextrin-based rotaxanes for polymer materials: challenge on simultaneous realization of inexpensive production and defined structures

• Yosuke Akae

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3026–3049, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.252

• were observed from the TPA to the conjugative polymer backbone included by perfectly arylated β-CD. TPA units located near the axle polymer are likely to induce an electron transfer, while those located far from the axle polymer tend to cause an excitation energy transfer. Thus, the polymer unit

• excited by the excitation energy transfer is located far from the TPA units, preventing quenching via electron transfer. Meanwhile, around 200 TPA units were included in one polymer molecule. The abovementioned property is induced by the nature of CD, which has many modifiable substituents (hydroxy groups

Investigation of a bimetallic terbium(III)/copper(II) chemosensor for the detection of aqueous hydrogen sulfide

• Parvathy Mini,
• Michael R. Grace,
• Genevieve H. Dennison and
• Kellie L. Tuck

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2818–2826, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.237

• proposed to function by Cu2+ sequestration. The remaining report is of a terbium(III) complex [Tb(DPA-N3)3]3− (Figure 7), which contains an aryl azide-functionalized ligand. In this system the azide functionality prohibits the energy transfer to the lanthanide ion, effectively quenching luminescence. In

• did with ([Eu(triazole-DPA)3·Cu]3+, however for the terbium(III) complexes, the electronic state of the ligand, [triazole-DPA]2− is altered, resulting in the energy gap of the ligand and the excited energy level of the Tb3+ ion being smaller. This would facilitate efficient back-energy transfer from

Interaction of a pyrene derivative with cationic [60]fullerene in phospholipid membranes and its effects on photodynamic actions

• Hayato Takagi,
• Çetin Çelik,
• Ryosuke Fukuda,
• Qi Guo,
• Tomohiro Higashino,
• Hiroshi Imahori,
• Yoko Yamakoshi and
• Tatsuya Murakami

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2732–2738, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.231

• the 1O2 adduct of 4-oxo-TEMP (4-oxo-TEMPO) were observed in the dispersion of catC60-lip ([catC60] = 5 µM) in PBS(–) showing an evidence of energy transfer reaction by the photoexcited catC60 (Figure 5a(ii)). In the presence of electron donor (NADH) under photoirradiation, •OH generation was observed

• same time, unusually fast conversion of O2•– to •OH was also suggested in this system. The results above suggest that catC60-lip generated both types of ROS (1O2 and •OH) via energy transfer and electron transfer mechanisms. The present results are in line with previous studies of photoinduced ROS

Photoluminescence color-tuning with polymer-dispersed fluorescent films containing two fluorinated diphenylacetylene-type fluorophores

• Kazuki Kobayashi,
• Shigeyuki Yamada,
• Motohiro Yasui and
• Tsutomu Konno

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2682–2690, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.225

• white-light-emitting materials. Keywords: energy transfer; fluorinated diphenylacetylenes; photoluminescence; polymer-dispersed films; white luminescence; Introduction Luminescent materials in lighting and display devices have become indispensable in daily life [1][2][3]. In recent years, organic

• λPLs at approximately 504 and 390 nm, respectively. The fluorescent color of the PMMA film mixed in a 50:50 ratio showed light green–yellow PL with chromaticity coordinates of (0.24, 0.45), which suggests a rapid energy transfer of the excitation energy from blue fluorophore 1a to green–yellow

• absorption spectrum of 1a in the two-component film. This result also clearly suggests an energy transfer from 1a to 1c. The fluorescence resonance energy transfer efficiency (EFRET) [30][31] was calculated from the ratio of the fluorescence lifetimes of the two- and high-energy-component films (Equation 1

Novel truxene-based dipyrromethanes (DPMs): synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and photophysical properties

• Shakeel Alvi and
• Rashid Ali

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2163–2170, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.186

• ), organogels, molecular wires, self-assembly and so forth [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. Moreover, nowadays these invaluable compounds have also received great attention of supramolecular chemists, and finds applications in sensing, catalysis, donor–acceptor systems, energy transfer and

Generation of alkyl and acyl radicals by visible-light photoredox catalysis: direct activation of C–O bonds in organic transformations

• Mithu Roy,
• Bitan Sardar,
• Itu Mallick and
• Dipankar Srimani

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1348–1375, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.119

• catalysis In recent times, visible-light-mediated photoredox chemistry has evolved as a unique tool for various organic transformations. In contrast to traditional catalysis, the photochemical process uses an electron or energy transfer mechanism to form reactive intermediates. Typically, a photocatalyst is

• triggered to carry out energy transfer and electron transfer or proton-coupled electron transfer when it absorbs light of an appropriate wavelength (Figure 2). These processes generate highly reactive species, such as radical cations or anions, which can initiate the desired organic transformations

Diameter-selective extraction of single-walled carbon nanotubes by interlocking with Cu-tethered square nanobrackets

• Guoqing Cheng and
• Naoki Komatsu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1298–1307, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.113

• mechanically interlocking cyclic molecules are reported not to be removed with washing [11][22][23][24]. In addition, these Raman signals of 1b shift to higher frequencies at e- and i-SWNTs, similarly to our previous report [11], probably due to the structural change of Cu-nanobrackets 1b, or the energy

• transfer between the interlocked SWNTs and the cyclic Cu-nanobrackets. After thorough removal of the host molecules with DTT, weak signals are remained at p-SWNTs, known as intermediate frequency modes (IFM) of SWNTs [25]. The IFM signals are also observed in e- and i-SWNTs, showing the coexistence of both

Mechanistic investigations of polyaza[7]helicene in photoredox and energy transfer catalysis

• Johannes Rocker,
• Till J. B. Zähringer,
• Matthias Schmitz,
• Till Opatz and
• Christoph Kerzig

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1236–1245, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.106

• catalyst in the sulfonylation/arylation of styrenes and as a triplet sensitizer in energy transfer catalysis. The singlet lifetime is sufficiently long to exploit the exceptional excited state reduction potential for the activation of 4-cyanopyridine. Photoinduced electron transfer generating the radical

• increased when the triplet efficiently reacts in a catalytic cycle such that turnover numbers exceeding 4400 are achievable with this organocatalyst. Keywords: energy transfer; laser spectroscopy; organocatalyst; photoredox; time-resolved spectroscopy; Introduction The emergence of photoredox chemistry in

• lifetimes, limiting their use in collision-based electron/energy transfer reactions unless high substrate concentrations are used [29][30]. In contrast, triplet states populated via intersystem crossing (ISC) have much longer lifetimes and can efficiently react at lower substrate concentrations [30