Preparation of organic compounds using photocatalytic reactions

This tutorial review of the state of the art of organic reactions taking place with the help of photocatalysis provides definition of photocatalysis, considers major types of photocatalysts and reactors used for organic photocatalytic reactions. The following types of reactions are considered: addition to multiple bonds, C-C bond formation, C-H bond functionalization, C-N bond formation, cyclization, cycloaddition, fragmentation, isomerization, oxidation, dehalogenation, deoxygenation, hydrogenation, reduction of CO2, and photosynthesis mimicking. An estimate shows that a quantity of a product similar to 40 tons can be obtained every day in a one hectare chemical synthesis solar plant. It is concluded that modern acceleration of the research on photocatalytic organic reactions would undoubtedly lead to wider industrial applications of photocatalysis, especially solar photocatalysis, in the next ten years.