This work was supported by the Universit&#233; libre de Bruxelles (ULB), the F&#233;d&#233;ration Wallonie-Bruxelles (ARC Consolidator 2014-2019), Innoviris (project PhotoCop), and the COST action CM1202. H.B. acknowledges the Fonds pour la formation &#224; la Recherche dans l&#8217;Industrie et dans l&#8217;Agriculture (F.R.I.A.) for graduate fellowship. C.T. acknowledges the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS) for research fellowship.

1. Synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6
<ol>
	<li>Add 3.73 g (10.00 mmol) of tetrakisacetonitrile copper(I) hexafluorophosphate and 5.39 g (10.00 mmol) of DPEPhos to a 2 L round bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar.</li>
	<li>Fit the round bottom flask with a three neck vacuum adapter connected to a vacuum line and an argon line.</li>
	<li>Evacuate the flask under vacuum and backfill with argon three times. Replace the three neck vacuum adapter by a rubber septum. 
	NOTE: The reaction can be performed under air with slightly reduced efficiency (see discussion section for details).</li>
	<li>Add 800 mL of dry dichloromethane. 
	NOTE: Dichloromethane is freshly distilled from CaH2. The reaction can also be performed in regular dichloromethane (99.8%) with similar efficiency (see discussion section for details).</li>
	<li>Stir the reaction mixture for 2 h in the dark (reaction flask covered with aluminum foil) at room temperature (23-25 &#186;C)&#160;under an argon atmosphere.</li>
	<li>Add 3.60 g (10.00 mmol) of bcp to a 500 mL round bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar.</li>
	<li>Fit the round bottom flask with a three neck vacuum adapter connected to a vacuum line and an argon line.</li>
	<li>Evacuate the flask under vacuum and backfill with argon three times. Replace the three neck vacuum adapter by a rubber septum.</li>
	<li>Add 200 mL of dry dichloromethane and gently stir the suspension until complete dissolution of the bcp.</li>
	<li>Add the solution of bcp in dichloromethane to the reaction mixture using a cannula.</li>
	<li>Stir for an additional hour in the dark (reaction flask covered with aluminum foil) at room temperature (23-25&#160;&#186;C) under an argon atmosphere.</li>
	<li>Filter the mixture through a pad of Celite, wash with ca. 100 mL of dichloromethane and concentrate the filtrate to ca. 50-100 mL under reduced pressure.</li>
	<li>Add the concentrate dropwise to 1 L of diethyl ether using an addition funnel and with vigorous stirring to induce precipitation of the desired complex.</li>
	<li>Collect the precipitate by filtration through a fritted glass (pore size 3) and wash the precipitate with ca. 100 mL of diethyl ether.</li>
	<li>Dry the bright yellow precipitate under vacuum at room temperature (23-25&#160;&#186;C) for 5 h to recover 10.1 g (91% yield) of the copper complex. 
	NOTE: A 75% yield was obtained when the reaction was performed under air using distilled dichloromethane; a 89% yield was obtained when the reaction was performed under argon using regular dichloromethane; when performing the reaction under air with regular dichloromethane, the reaction was found to be less efficient and led to much lower purity (ca 70%, as estimated by 1H NMR with an internal standard).</li>
	<li>Characterize [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 as previously reported31.</li>
</ol>
2. Direct arylation of N-methylpyrrole with 4-iodobenzonitrile
<ol>
	<li>Add 55 mg (0.05 mmol) of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6, 59 mg (0.25 mmol) of dicyclohexylisobutylamine (Cy2NiBu), 138 mg (1.0 mmol) of K2CO3 and 114 mg (0.50 mmol) of 4-iodobenzonitrile to an oven-dried 10 mL vial.</li>
	<li>Add a magnetic stir bar, seal the vial with a rubber septum, evacuate the vial under vacuum and backfill with argon three times.</li>
	<li>Add 5 mL of acetonitrile and 890 &#956;L (10.00 mmol) of N-methylpyrrole. Replace the rubber septum by a screw cap. 
	NOTE: Acetonitrile is freshly distilled from CaH2 and degassed using freeze-pump-thaw cycles prior to use to ensure high yields and reproducibility.</li>
	<li>Stir the reaction mixture for 3 days at room temperature (23-25&#160;&#186;C) in a photoreactor under 420 nm wavelength irradiation. 
	NOTE: As an alternative to the use of a photoreactor, the reaction can also be conveniently performed using blue LEDs strips or a photochemistry device with a blue LED lamp (440 nm, 34 W). These experimental setups are shown in Figure 3 (see Representative results) and a discussion on their respective results is provided in the &#34;Discussion&#34;&#160;section.</li>
	<li>Filter the reaction mixture through a pad of Celite, wash with ca. 5 mL of diethyl ether and concentrate the filtrate under reduced pressure.</li>
	<li>Purify the crude residue by flash column chromatography over silica gel (eluent system petroleum ether/EtOAc: 90/10).</li>
	<li>Dry the pure compound under vacuum at room temperature (23-25&#160;&#186;C) for 3 h to recover 65 mg (72% yield) of the desired C2-arylated pyrrole. 
	NOTE: The use of blue LEDs strips afforded a 76% yield (69 mg) while the use of a photochemistry device with a blue LED lamp (440 nm, 34 W) afforded an 86% yield (78 mg).</li>
	<li>Characterize the pure compound as previously reported32.</li>
</ol>
3. Cyclization of N-benzoyl-N-[(2-iodoquinolin-3-yl)methyl]cyanamide to luotonin A
<ol>
	<li>Add 37 mg (0.09 mmol) of N-benzoyl-N-[(2-iodoquinolin-3-yl)methyl]cyanamide, 9 mg (9.0 &#956;mol) of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6, 11 mg (0.04 mmol) of Cy2NiBu and 25 mg (0.18 mmol) of K2CO3 to an oven-dried 7 mL vial equipped with a magnetic stir bar.</li>
	<li>Seal the vial with a rubber septum, evacuate the vial under vacuum and backfill with argon three times.</li>
	<li>Add 2 mL of acetonitrile. Replace the rubber septum by a screw cap. 
	NOTE: Acetonitrile is distilled from CaH2 and degassed using freeze-pump-thaw cycles prior to use to ensure high yields and reproducibility.</li>
	<li>Stir the reaction mixture for 5 days at&#160;room temperature (23-25&#160;&#186;C) in a photoreactor under 420 nm wavelength irradiation.</li>
	<li>Filter the reaction mixture through a pad of Celite, wash with ca. 2 mL of dichloromethane and concentrate the filtrate under reduced pressure.</li>
	<li>Purify the crude residue by flash column chromatography over silica gel (eluent system: petroleum ether/EtOAc 60:40).</li>
	<li>Dry the pure compound under vacuum at room temperature (23-25&#160;&#186;C) for 3 h to recover 20 mg (79% yield) of the desired luotonin A.</li>
	<li>Characterize the desired luotonin A as previously reported29.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 
The synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 is typically performed using dry dichloromethane (distilled prior to use) and under argon to ensure the highest yield, purity and good reproducibility. As mentioned in the protocol, the synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 can be performed with regular dichloromethane (99.8%) and/or under air with variable efficiencies. Indeed, while the use of regular dichloromethane under argon afforded the same efficiency (89% yield), performing the reaction with distilled dichloromethane under air only provides the desired complex in a 75% yield. Lastly, performing the reaction with non-distilled dichloromethane under air affords the desired complex with a noticeably lower purity (ca 70% as estimated by 1H NMR using an internal standard). As a consequence, one may conclude that the quality of the dichloromethane used does not have a strong impact on the efficiency of the reaction (high yield and purity), providing that the reaction is conducted under argon. On the other hand, performing the reaction under air is not recommended, as it affords the desired complex with reduced efficiency and, even more importantly, with lower purity when combined with non-distilled dichloromethane.
Copper-catalyzed photoredox direct arylation of (hetero)arenes with aryl halides 
As illustrated in Figure 5, the reaction was found to be rather general with a series of 2-arylated pyrroles being obtained in fair to good yields. Noteworthy, aryl iodides substituted with a bromide or a boronate are convenient starting materials and therefore afford a starting point for further functionalization and valorization of the corresponding biaryls. Boc-protected pyrroles were also shown to be readily arylated with a variety of aryl iodides while the reaction could also be extended to the arylation of some electron-rich benzene rings such as 2,4,6-mesitylene, 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzene and 1,3-dimethoxybenzene. Finally, more challenging electron-poor aryl bromides could also be used for the direct arylation of N-methylpyrrole while unactivated aryl bromides and aryl chlorides are not reactive under the reaction conditions, which probably represent the main limitation of this procedure. Altogether, these results show that [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 efficiently activates the carbon &#8211; halogen bond of several aryl halides to promote the direct arylation of some (hetero)arenes which have to be used in large excess to achieve good efficiency. This&#160;limitation is, however, common to most procedures reported to date promoting the same transformation.
As mentioned in the protocol section, the copper-catalyzed photoredox direct arylation of (hetero)arenes with aryl halides is mainly performed using a photoreactor with irradiation at 420 nm. Alternatively, the use of simpler and more readily available experimental setups has also been demonstrated, with the use of commercially available blue LEDS strips, as well as of a photochemistry device with a blue LED lamp (440 nm, 34W). Interestingly, small but noticeable differences in efficiency are observed using these three devices. While the photoreactor and blue LEDs strips afford the desired arylated product in comparable yields (72% and 76%, respectively), the photochemistry device with a blue LED lamp affords the highest yield in desired product (86%). This is most probably due to the amount of light that actually penetrates into the reaction mixture, as it is well known that visible light penetration in solution containing photoactive species is quite low. As a consequence, the amount of photoredox catalyst that is actually activated in solution, and that is responsible for catalysis, can also be somehow limited and become the limiting factor. Among the three experimental setups used for the direct arylation of N-methylpyrrole with 4-iodobenzonitrile, the photochemistry device with a blue LED lamp certainly is the most intense, which leads to the highest amount of excited complex and thus, to a higher efficiency. Such considerations are also critical for scaling up such photoinduced processes which are probably more conveniently performed under continuous flow conditions on larger scales34,35.
Photoinduced radical domino cyclization of ynamides and cyanamides 
As illustrated in Figure 7, [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 was shown to be an effective promoter under visible light irradiation for the radical domino cyclization of various ynamides and cyanamides, affording tri-, tetra- or pentacyclic nitrogen heterocycles, in fair to good yields from readily available precursors, at the core structures of various natural products. This strategy permitted the synthesis of rosettacin, luotonin A, and deoxyvasicinone, natural products of great interest that&#160;possess anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant activities. Noteworthy, the cyclization of ynamides and cyanamides had already been described by Malacria using more classical tin-based conditions33,36, or under photoredox conditions by Yu using the highly reducing fac-Ir(ppy)3 as photoredox catalyst37. When compared to those previously reported methods, the new copper-based photoredox system we reported appears to be an attractive alternative as it provides similar substrate scope and yields while avoiding the use of highly toxic Bu3SnH (Malacria) or expensive fac-Ir(ppy)3 (Yu). Overall, this system has proven its efficiency for the activation of various unactivated aryl- or alkyl- carbon -&#160;halogen bonds leading to key structures in organic synthesis, as well as in drug discovery and natural product synthesis.
Altogether, the results discussed above highlight the efficiency of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 as an alternative to iridium- and ruthenium- based photocatalysts. Similar levels of efficiency can be obtained with a copper-based catalyst that is both much easier to prepare and much less expensive. The synthesis of the copper-based photocatalyst is in addition highly modular, which paves the way for the design and development of second generation catalysts addressing the main limitations met with [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 (i.e., the rather high catalyst loading still required in most cases and its unability to activate some aryl bromides and aryl chlorides).

Radical transformations have been known for decades to provide remarkably efficient pathways in synthetic chemistry which are often complementary to transformations based on cationic, anionic or pericyclic processes1. While particularly promising for various types of transformations, radical-based chemistry has however long been underexploited, mainly because of the need for highly toxic reagents which considerably limits its attractiveness. Moreover, radical processes have long been considered as transformations associated with poor levels of control in terms of regio- and/or stereoselectivity, or leading to extensive dimerization and/or polymerization issues.
Alternative strategies have recently been developed in order to facilitate the generation and better control the reactivity of radical species. Among them, photoredox catalysis has become one of the most powerful methods as it allows the convenient generation of radical species using a light-responsive compound, namely the photoredox catalyst, and visible light irradiation2,3. Visible light itself is indeed able to promote population of the excited state of the photoredox catalyst which becomes, consequently, both a stronger reductant and oxidant than in its corresponding ground state. These enhanced redox properties make single-electron transfer processes, not feasible in the ground state, possible under mild conditions from the excited state. Over the past decade, visible light photoredox catalysis has become an attractive and powerful technique in organic synthesis and has allowed the development of numerous remarkably efficient and selective transformations based on radical intermediates generated under sustainable, mild and user-friendly conditions.
While most photoredox processes reported to date are dominated by the use of iridium- and ruthenium-based photoredox catalysts, as well as by some organic dyes such as pyrylium and acridinium derivatives4, cheaper alternatives are still highly demanded for the development of complementary processes of interest for industrial applications. In this regard, the use of copper-based photoredox catalysts appears particularly appealing as they are not only cheaper but also provide opportunities to activate a broader and/or different range of substrates, which therefore opens new perspectives in photoredox catalysis5,6,7,8. Despite some promising early works reported by the Kutal9, Mitani10&#160;and Sauvage11&#160;groups, photoactivatable copper complexes have, however, only been scarcely used in photoredox catalysis, most probably because of their short-lived excited states compared to their ruthenium- and iridium-based congeners. More recently, recent remarkable contributions by Peters and Fu12,13,14,15, Reiser16,17,18,19,20&#160;and other groups21,22,23,24,25&#160;have clearly brought attention back to copper-based photoredox catalysts and demonstrated their unique potential.
As part of our recent interest in copper-catalyzed radical processes26,27, we recently reported a general and broadly applicable copper-based photoredox catalyst, [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 (DPEPhos: bis[(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl] ether; bcp: bathocuproine), which turned out to be particularly efficient for the activation of organic halides under visible light irradiation (Figure 1A)28,29,30. Upon irradiation with visible light and in the presence of an amine as sacrificial reductant, a wide range of unactivated aryl and alkyl halides was shown to be easily activated by catalytic amounts of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 and therefore to participate in various radical transformations including reductions, cyclizations and direct arylation of several electron-rich (hetero)arenes. Furthermore, [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 has also proven successful at promoting photoinduced radical domino cyclizations of ynamides and cyanamides, providing an efficient and straightforward access to complex tri-, tetra- and pentacyclic nitrogen heterocycles at the core structures of various natural products. This strategy permitted the efficient synthesis of rosettacin, luotonin A, and deoxyvasicinone, natural products that exhibit anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant activities. These transformations are illustrated in Figure 1C. From a mechanistic standpoint, the photoinduced activation of organic halides with [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 proceeds through a rare Cu(I)/Cu(I)*/Cu(0) catalytic cycle, which has been confirmed by extensive mechanistic and photophysical studies. In particular, excitation of the ground state [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 [Cu(I)] upon irradiation by visible light leads to the formation of the corresponding excited complex [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6* [Cu(I)*] which is then reduced by the sacrificial amine to generate the corresponding [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 [Cu(0)] species. This Cu(0) intermediate is reductive&#160;enough to reduce the carbon&#8211;halogen bond of various organic halides to generate the corresponding radicals, which can then participate in the aforementioned transformations, together with regeneration of the starting catalyst (Figure 1B).
In the following section, we first describe the protocol to synthesize the photoactivatable [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 (whose NMR and spectroscopic characterizations are presented in the representative results section). The synthesis is straightforward and particularly convenient, and simply requires addition of 1 equivalent of DPEPhos and 1 equivalent of bcp to a solution of tetrakisacetonitrile copper(I) hexafluorophosphate in dichloromethane. The desired [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 is then isolated by precipitation from diethyl ether and can be easily obtained on a multigram scale (Figure 2A). Importantly, the isolated copper complex is not particularly sensitive to oxygen and moisture and can therefore be conveniently handled with no specific precautions other than being stored away from light.
Secondly, we describe the protocols to activate organic halides using [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 under visible light irradiation by focusing on two different transformations. The first reaction is the direct arylation of N-methylpyrrole with 4-iodobenzonitrile using catalytic amounts of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 as photoredox catalyst, dicyclohexylisobutylamine as the sacrificial reductant and potassium carbonate as the base under irradiation at 420 nm (Figure 2B). The second reaction is the radical cyclization of N-benzoyl-N-[(2-iodoquinolin-3-yl)methyl]cyanamide, using the same catalyst and sacrificial reductant, whose cyclization directly leads to luotonin A, a natural product displaying interesting anticancer activities (Figure 2C). Detailed protocols are provided for both transformations.

<table><tbody><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;Material&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bathocuproine (bcp)</td><td>Acros</td><td>161340010</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Acetonitrile, 99.9+</td><td>Acros</td><td>326811000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Celite 545</td><td>Acros</td><td>349670025</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bis[(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl] ether (DPEphos)</td><td>Acros</td><td>383370050</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Calcium hydride</td><td>Acros</td><td>C/1620/48</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dichloromethane, 99.8%</td><td>Fisher Chemical</td><td>D/1852/25</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dietyl ether, &gt;= 99%</td><td>Fisher Chemical</td><td>D/2400/MS21</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ethyl acetate</td><td>Fisher Chemical</td><td>E/0900/25</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>N-Methylpyrrole, 99%</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>M78801</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4-Iodobenzonitrile, 98%</td><td>Combi-Blocks</td><td>OR-3151</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Petroleum ether (40-60 &amp;deg;)</td><td>Fisher Chemical</td><td>P/1760/25</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Potassium carbonate, anhydrous</td><td>Fisher Chemical</td><td>P/4120/60</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tetrakisacetonitrile copper(I) hexafluorophosphate, 97%</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>346276</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;Equipment&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;H and &lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C NMR spectrometer</td><td>Bruker</td><td>Avance 300 Spectrometer</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;H and &lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C NMR spectrometer</td><td>Varian</td><td>VNMRS 400 Spectrometer</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>420 nm light tubes</td><td>Luzchem</td><td>LZC-420</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Blue LEDs lamp</td><td>Kessil</td><td>H150-Blue</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Blue LEDs strips</td><td>Eglo</td><td>92065</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Photochemistry Device PhotoRedOx Box</td><td>Hepatochem</td><td>HCK1006-01-016</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Photoreactor</td><td>Luzchem</td><td>CCP-4V</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Spectrofluorimeter</td><td>Shimadzu</td><td>RF-5301PC</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>UV/Vis spectrometer</td><td>Perkin Elmer</td><td>Lambda 40</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

[(dpephos)(bcp)cu]pf6: a general and broadly applicable copper-based photoredox catalyst

Our group recently reported the use of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 as a general copper-based photoredox catalyst which proved efficient to promote the activation of a broad variety of organic halides, including unactivated ones. These can then participate in various radical transformations such as reduction and cyclization reactions, as well as in the direct arylation of several (hetero)arenes. These transformations provide a straightforward access to a range of small molecules of interest in synthetic chemistry, as well as to biologically active natural products. Altogether, [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 acts as a convenient photoredox catalyst which appears to be an attractive, cheap and complementary alternative to the state-of-the-art iridium- and ruthenium-based photoredox catalysts. Here, we report a detailed protocol for the synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6, as well as NMR and spectroscopic characterizations, and we illustrate its use in synthetic chemistry for the direct arylation of (hetero)arenes and radical cyclization of organic halides. In particular, the direct arylation of N-methylpyrrole with 4-iodobenzonitrile to afford&#160;4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)benzonitrile and the radical cyclization of N-benzoyl-N-[(2-iodoquinolin-3-yl)methyl]cyanamide to afford natural product luotonin A are detailed. The scope and limitations of this copper-based photoredox catalyst are also briefly discussed.

Synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 
As shown by the protocol described in the above section, the synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 is particularly convenient and can be easily performed on a multigram scale. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra indicate formation of the pure complex (Figure 4A,B). The spectroscopic data correspond to those previously reported31.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) &#948; (ppm): 7.83 (s, 2H), 7.60-7.47 (m, 12H), 7.40-7.32 (m, 2H), 7.29-7.17 (m, 8H), 7.11-6.94 (m, 18H), 2.52 (s, 6H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) &#948; (ppm): 158.5, 150.3, 144.0, 136.5, 133.9, 133.1, 133.0, 132.9, 132.5, 132.2, 132.0, 131.7, 130.1, 129.6, 129.5, 129.2, 128.7, 128.7, 128.6, 125.8, 125.8, 125.5, 125.4, 120.4, 27.5.
The UV/Vis absorption and emission spectra have also been recorded and are shown in Figure 4C,D. The UV/Vis absorption spectrum (acetonitrile, 10-4 M) displays two main absorption bands with two maxima at 385 nm and 485 nm. The emission spectrum (acetonitrile, 10-4 M), obtained by excitation at 445 nm, displays a maximum at 535 nm.
Copper-catalyzed photoredox direct arylation of (hetero)arenes with aryl halides 
The direct arylation of N-methylpyrrole with 4-iodobenzonitrile is representative of the use of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6&#160;to promote the direct arylation of various electron-rich (hetero)arenes under visible light irradiation. The scope of the transformation is depicted in Figure 5. These results are briefly discussed in the next section.
As for the characterization of 4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)benzonitrile, the 1H and 13C NMR spectra indicate formation of the pure compound (Figure 6A,B). The spectroscopic data correspond to those previously reported32.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) &#948; (ppm): 7.66 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.50 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 6.78 (app. t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.35 (dd, J = 3.7 and 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.23 (dd, J = 3.7 and 2.7 Hz, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) &#948; (ppm): 137.8, 132.7, 132.3, 128.4, 125.9, 119.1, 110.8, 109.8, 108.7, 35.6.
Figure 3 illustrates the three experimental setups that have been successfully used to perform the direct arylation of (hetero)arenes with aryl halides under photoredox conditions. The reaction can be performed in a photoreactor with irradiation at 420 nm wavelength (Figure 3A), using commercially available blue LEDs strips (Figure 3B), or using a photochemistry device with a blue LED lamp (440 nm, 34 W) (Figure 3C). A brief discussion on the difference in efficiency between the three experimental setups is given in the next section.
Photoinduced radical domino cyclization of ynamides and cyanamides 
The cyclization of N-benzoyl-N-[(2-iodoquinolin-3-yl)methyl]cyanamide to luotonin A is representative of the use of&#160;[(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6&#160;to promote the radical domino cyclization of ynamides and cyanamides containing a suitably-placed iodoaryl subunit. These cyclizations, which provide an efficient and straightforward access to tri-, tetra- and pentacyclic nitrogen heterocycles at the core structures of various natural products, are shown in Figure 7. These results are briefly discussed in the next section.
The 1H and 13C NMR spectra indicate formation of the pure natural product luotonin A (Figure 8A,B). The spectroscopic data correspond to those previously reported33.
1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) &#948; (ppm): 8.49-8.41 (m, 3 H), 8.12 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.95 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1 H), 7.89-7.82 (m, 2 H), 7.71-7.66 (m, 1 H), 7.58 (t, J = 8.1 Hz, 1 H), 5.34 (s, 2 H). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) &#948; (ppm): 160.8, 152.7, 151.3, 149.5 (2 C), 134.7, 131.6, 130.8 (2 C), 129.5, 128.9 (2 C), 128.6, 128.0, 127.5, 126.5, 121.4, 47.4.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig1v6.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 as a general copper-based photoredox catalyst. (A). General properties of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6. (B). General mechanism for the activation of organic halides. (C). Representative transformations including reduction, direct arylation and cyclization reactions. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig1v5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig2v7.jpg" /> 
Figure 2. Synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 and application in organic/natural product synthesis. (A). Synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6. (B). Direct arylation of N-methylpyrrole. (C). Radical cyclization to luotonin A. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig2v5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig3v5.jpg" /> 
Figure 3. Experimental setups used for the direct arylation of (hetero)arenes under photoredox conditions. (A). Photoreactor. (B). Blue LEDs strips. (C). Photochemistry device and blue LED lamp. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig3v5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 4" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig4v9.jpg" /> 
Figure 4. Characterization of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6. (A). 1H NMR spectrum (CDCl3, 400 MHz, 23 &#176;C). (B). 13C NMR spectrum (CDCl3, 100 MHz, 23 &#176;C). (C). UV/Vis absorption spectrum (acetonitrile, argon, 23 &#176;C). (D). Emission spectrum (acetonitrile, argon, 23 &#176;C). <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig4v5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 5" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig5v7.jpg" /> 
Figure 5. Copper-catalyzed photoredox direct arylation of (hetero)arenes with aryl halides. Substrate scope. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig5v5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 6" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig6v7.jpg" /> 
Figure 6. Characterization of 4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)benzonitrile. (A).&#160;1H NMR spectrum (CDCl3, 400 MHz, 23 &#176;C). (B). 13C NMR spectrum (CDCl3, 100 MHz, 23 &#176;C). <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig6v5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 7" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig7v7.jpg" /> 
Figure 7. Photoinduced radical domino cyclization of ynamides and cyanamides. Substrate scope. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig7v5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 8" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig8v7.jpg" /> 
Figure 8. Characterization of luotonin A. (A). 1H NMR spectrum (CDCl3, 300 MHz, 23 &#176;C). (B). 13C NMR spectrum (CDCl3, 75 MHz, 23 &#176;C). <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/59739/59739fig8v5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about [DPEPhosbcpCu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst at JoVE.com

[DPEPhosbcpCu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst

Detailed and general protocols are presented for the synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6, a general copper-based photoredox catalyst, and for its use in synthetic chemistry for the direct arylation of C-H bonds in (hetero)arenes and radical cyclization of organic halides.

[(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst

Our group recently reported the use of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6 as a general copper-based photoredox catalyst which proved efficient to promote the ...

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9.1K Views.  Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). Detailed and general protocols are presented for the synthesis of [(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6, a general copper-based photoredox catalyst, and for its use in synthetic chemistry for the direct arylation of C-H bonds in (hetero)arenes and radical cyclization of organic halides.

Video: [DPEPhosbcpCu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst

Photochemical Oxidative Growth of Iridium Oxide Nanoparticles on CdSe@CdS Nanorods

We demonstrate a procedure for the photochemical oxidative growth of iridium oxide catalysts on the surface of seeded cadmium selenide-cadmium sulfide (CdSe@CdS) nanorod photocatalysts. Seeded rods are grown using a colloidal hot-injection method and then moved to an aqueous medium by ligand exchange. CdSe@CdS nanorods, an iridium precursor and other salts are mixed and illuminated. The deposition process is initiated by absorption of photons by the semiconductor particle, which results with formation of charge carriers that are used to promote redox reactions. To insure photochemical oxidative growth we used an electron scavenger. The photogenerated holes oxidize the iridium precursor, apparently in a mediated oxidative pathway. This results in the growth of high quality crystalline iridium oxide particles, ranging from 0.5 nm to about 3 nm, along the surface of the rod. Iridium oxide grown on CdSe@CdS heterostructures was studied by a variety of characterization methods, in order to evaluate its characteristics and quality. We explored means for control over particle size, crystallinity, deposition location on the CdS rod, and composition. Illumination time and excitation wavelength were found to be key parameters for such control. The influence of different growth conditions and the characterization of these heterostructures are described alongside a detailed description of their synthesis. Of significance is the fact that the addition of iridium oxide afforded the rods astounding photochemical stability under prolonged illumination in pure water (alleviating the requirement for hole scavengers).

A protocol for the photochemical oxidative growth of small crystalline iridium oxide nanoparticles on the surface of CdSe@CdS seeded rod nanoparticles is presented.

We demonstrate a procedure for the photochemical oxidative growth of iridium oxide catalysts on the surface of seeded cadmium selenide-cadmium sulfide ...

Preparation of a Corannulene-functionalized Hexahelicene by Copper(I)-catalyzed Alkyne-azide Cycloaddition of Nonplanar Polyaromatic Units

The main purpose of this video is to show 6 reaction steps of a convergent synthesis and prepare a complex molecule containing up to three nonplanar polyaromatic units, which are two corannulene moieties and a racemic hexahelicene linking them. The compound described in this work is a good host for fullerenes. Several common organic reactions, such as free-radical reactions, C-C coupling or click chemistry, are employed demonstrating the versatility of functionalization that this compound can accept. All of these reactions work for planar aromatic molecules. With subtle modifications, it is possible to achieve similar results for nonplanar polyaromatic compounds.

Preparation of a Corannulene-functionalized Hexahelicene by CopperI-catalyzed Alkyne-azide Cycloaddition of Nonplanar Polyaromatic Units

Here, we present a protocol to synthesize a complex organic compound comprised of three nonplanar polyaromatic units, assembled easily with reasonable yields.

The main purpose of this video is to show 6 reaction steps of a convergent synthesis and prepare a complex molecule containing up to three nonplanar ...

HKUST-1 as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Vanillin

Vanillin (4-hydoxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is the main component of the extract of vanilla bean. The natural vanilla scent is a mixture of approximately 200 different odorant compounds in addition to vanillin. The natural extraction of vanillin (from the orchid Vanilla planifolia, Vanilla tahitiensis and Vanilla pompon) represents only 1% of the worldwide production and since this process is expensive and very long, the rest of the production of vanillin is synthesized. Many biotechnological approaches can be used for the synthesis of vanillin from lignin, phenolic stilbenes, isoeugenol, eugenol, guaicol, etc., with the disadvantage of harming the environment since these processes use strong oxidizing agents and toxic solvents. Thus, eco-friendly alternatives on the production of vanillin are very desirable and thus, under current investigation. Porous coordination polymers (PCPs) are a new class of highly crystalline materials that recently have been used for catalysis. HKUST-1 (Cu3(BTC)2(H2O)3, BTC = 1,3,5-benzene-tricarboxylate) is a very well known PCP which has been extensively studied as a heterogeneous catalyst. Here, we report a synthetic strategy for the production of vanillin by the oxidation of trans-ferulic acid using HKUST-1 as a catalyst.

The conversion of trans-ferulic acid to vanillin was achieved by heterogeneous catalysis. HKUST-1 was employed in this synthesis and the essential step in the catalytic process was the generation of unsaturated metal sites. Thus, when the catalyst was activated under vacuum, full vanillin conversion (yield of 95%) was obtained.

Vanillin (4-hydoxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is the main component of the extract of vanilla bean. The natural vanilla scent is a mixture of approximately ...

Synthesis and Testing of Supported Pt-Cu Solid Solution Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation

A convenient method for the synthesis of bimetallic Pt-Cu catalysts and performance tests for propane dehydrogenation and characterization are demonstrated here. The catalyst forms a substitutional solid solution structure, with a small and uniform particle size around 2 nm. This is realized by careful control over the impregnation, calcination, and reduction steps during catalyst preparation and is identified by advanced in situ synchrotron techniques. The catalyst propane dehydrogenation performance continuously improves with increasing Cu:Pt atomic ratio.

A convenient method for the synthesis of 2 nm supported bimetallic nanoparticle Pt-Cu catalysts for propane dehydrogenation is reported here. In situ synchrotron X-ray techniques allow for the determination of the catalyst structure, which is typically unobtainable using laboratory instruments.

A convenient method for the synthesis of bimetallic Pt-Cu catalysts and performance tests for propane dehydrogenation and characterization are ...

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

This protocol presents both the synthesis method of the Ni single atom catalyst, and the electrochemical testing of its catalytic activity and selectivity in aqueous CO2 reduction. Different from traditional metal nanocrystals, the synthesis of metal single atoms involves a matrix material that can confine those single atoms and prevent them from aggregation. We report an electrospinning and thermal annealing method to prepare Ni single atoms dispersed and coordinated in a graphene shell, as active centers for CO2 reduction to CO. During the synthesis, N dopants play a critical role in generating graphene vacancies to trap Ni atoms. Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and three-dimensional atom probe tomography were employed to identify the single Ni atomic sites in graphene vacancies. Detailed setup of electrochemical CO2 reduction apparatus coupled with an on-line gas chromatography is also demonstrated. Compared to metallic Ni, Ni single atom catalyst exhibit dramatically improved CO2 reduction and suppressed H2 evolution side reaction.

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Here, we present a protocol for the synthesis and electrochemical testing of transition metal single atoms coordinated in graphene vacancies as active centers for selective carbon dioxide reduction to carbon monoxide in aqueous solutions.

This protocol presents both the synthesis method of the Ni single atom catalyst, and the electrochemical testing of its catalytic activity and selectivity ...

Preparation of Polyoxometalate-based Photo-responsive Membranes for the Photo-activation of Manganese Oxide Catalysts

This paper presents a method to prepare charge-transfer chromophores using polyoxotungstate (PW12O403-), transition metal ions (Ce3+ or Co2+), and organic polymers, with the aim of photo-activating oxygen-evolving manganese oxide catalysts, which are important components in artificial photosynthesis. The cross-linking technique was applied to obtain a self-standing membrane with a high PW12O403- content. Incorporation and structure retention of PW12O403- within the polymer matrix were confirmed by FT-IR and micro-Raman spectroscopy, and optical characteristics were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, which revealed successful construction of the metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) unit. After deposition of MnOx oxygen evolving catalysts, photocurrent measurements under visible light irradiation verified the sequential charge transfer, Mn &#8594; MMCT unit &#8594; electrode, and&#160;the photocurrent intensity was consistent with the redox potential of the donor metal (Ce or Co). This method provides a new strategy for preparing integrated systems involving catalysts and photon-absorption parts for use with photo-functional materials.

Here, we present a protocol to prepare charge transfer chromophores based on a polyoxometalate/polymer composite membrane.

This paper presents a method to prepare charge-transfer chromophores using polyoxotungstate (PW12O403-), transition metal ions (Ce3+ or Co2+), and organic ...

A Complete Method for Evaluating the Performance of Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Antibiotics in Environmental Remediation

Various antibiotics such as tetracycline, aureomycin, amoxicillin, and levofloxacin are found in large quantities in groundwater and soil systems, potentially leading to the development of resistant and multi-drug resistant bacteria, posing a threat to humans, animals, and environmental systems. Photocatalytic technology has attracted keen interest due to its rapid and stable treatment and direct use of solar energy. However, most studies evaluating the performance of semiconductor catalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water are currently incomplete. In this paper, a complete experimental protocol is designed to comprehensively evaluate the photocatalytic performance of semiconductor catalysts. Herein, rhombic dodecahedral silver phosphate was prepared by a simple solvent phase synthesis method at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. BrSubphthalocyanine/Ag3PO4 heterojunction materials were prepared by the solvothermal method. The catalytic performance of as-prepared materials for the degradation of tetracycline was evaluated by studying different influencing factors such as catalyst dosage, temperature, pH, and anions at atmospheric pressure using a 300 W xenon lamp as a simulated solar light source and a light intensity of 350 mW/cm2. Compared with the first cycle, the constructed BrSubphthalocyanine/Ag3PO4 maintained 82.0% of the original photocatalytic activity after five photocatalytic cycles, while the pristine Ag3PO4 maintained only 28.6%. The stability of silver phosphate samples was further tested by a five-cycle experiment. This paper provides a complete process for evaluating the catalytic performance of semiconductor catalysts in the laboratory for the development of semiconductor catalysts with potential for practical applications.

Presented here is a protocol to explore a universal set of experimental procedures for comprehensive laboratory evaluation of photocatalysts in the field of environmental purification, using the example of photocatalytic removal of antibiotic organic pollutant molecules from water by phthalocyanine sensitized silver phosphate composites.

Various antibiotics such as tetracycline, aureomycin, amoxicillin, and levofloxacin are found in large quantities in groundwater and soil systems, ...

Environment

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions

Developing photocatalytic H2 production devices is the one of the key steps for constructing a global H2-based renewable energy infrastructure. A number of photoactive assemblies have emerged where a photosensitizer and cobaloxime-based H2 production catalysts work in tandem to convert light energy into the H-H chemical bonds. However, the long-term instability of these assemblies and the need for hazardous proton sources have limited their usage. Here, in this work, we have integrated a stilbene-based organic dye into the periphery of a cobaloxime core via a distinct axial pyridine linkage. This strategy allowed us to develop a photosensitizer-catalyst hybrid structure with the same molecular framework. In this article, we have explained the detailed procedure of the synthesis of this hybrid molecule in addition to its comprehensive chemical characterization. The structural and optical studies have exhibited an intense electronic interaction between the cobaloxime core and the organic photosensitizer. The cobaloxime was active for H2 production even in the presence of water as the proton source. Here, we have developed a simple airtight system connected with an online H2 detector for the investigation of the photocatalytic activity by this hybrid complex. This photosensitizer-catalyst dyad present in the experimental setup continuously produced H2 once it was exposed in the natural sunlight. This photocatalytic H2 production by the hybrid complex was observed in aqueous/organic mixture media in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor under complete aerobic conditions. Thus, this photocatalysis measurement system along with the photosensitizer-catalyst dyad provide valuable insight for the development of next generation photocatalytic H2 production devices.

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions

We have directly incorporated a stilbene-based organic dye into a cobaloxime core to generate a photosensitizer-catalyst dyad for photocatalytic H2 production. We have also developed a simple experimental setup for evaluating the light-driven H2 production by photocatalytic assemblies.

Developing photocatalytic H2 production devices is the one of the key steps for constructing a global H2-based renewable energy infrastructure. A number ...

Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions

The interest on nitrogen-containing heterocycles has expanded rapidly in the synthetic community since they are important motifs for new drugs. Traditionally, they were synthesized through thermal cycloaddition reactions, whereas today, photocatalysis is preferred due to the mild and efficient conditions. With this focus, a new photocatalytic method for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles is highly desired. Here, we report a protocol for the biosynthesis of cercosporin, which could function as a metal-free photocatalyst. We then illustrate cercosporin-photocatalyzed protocols for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles 1,2,3-thiadiazoles through annulation of azoalkenes with KSCN, and synthesis of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridazines [4+2] through cyclodimerization of azoalkenes under mild conditions, respectively. As a result, there is a new bridge between the microbial fermentation method and organic synthesis in a mild, cost-effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

New routes for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles utilizing cercosporin as a metal-free photocatalyst were developed.

The interest on nitrogen-containing heterocycles has expanded rapidly in the synthetic community since they are important motifs for new drugs. ...

Introduction to Catalysis

Source: Laboratory of Dr. Ryan Richards &#8212; Colorado School of Mines
Catalysis is among the most important fields of modern technology and presently accounts for approximately 35% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and sustenance of approximately 33% of the global population through fertilizers produced via the Haber process.1 Catalysts are systems that facilitate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy and influencing the selectivity. Catalysis will be a central technology in addressing the energy and environmental challenges of modern times.

Catalysis: Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts

Source: Laboratory of Dr. Ryan Richards &#8212; Colorado School of Mines
Catalysis is among the most important fields of modern technology and presently ...

[(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF₆: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst

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