Mechanistic Understanding of The Photoexcited Nitroarene-Mediated Olefin Ozonolysis

ongoing

Olefins are feedstocks readily available from petroleum and vegetable biomass with an integral role in the preparation of high-value materials. In particular, olefin ozonolysis used to introduce oxygen atoms and convert these molecules into a broad spectrum of synthetic intermediates like aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids. So far ozonolysis reactions mostly adopted by the bulk chemical industry which uses it on simple materials. The fine chemical sectors (pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries) do not use this reactivity mostly due to safety concerns in handling ozone. The Leonori group has recently demonstrated that photoexcited nitroarenes can be used as ozone surrogates for the oxidative cleavage of olefins. This project seeks to understand the key mechanistic factors that govern the reactivity so that generalization and application by the broad chemical community might be possible. The completion of such a timely and relevant mechanistic project at RWTH Aachen University will be facilitated by generating, transferring, sharing and disseminating knowledge, and will enhance The Researcher’s future career following the training plan envisioned.