Menu
Scientific context
Photoredox catalysis provides elegant solutions in organic synthesis for the reductive activation of inert substrates under mild conditions.[1] However, traditional photocatalysts remain limited by the reducing power of their excited states (> –2 V vs. SCE).
The ANR CASPI project aims to implement the ConPET strategy (Consecutive Photo-induced Electron Transfer) to generate highly reducing anionic photocatalysts within N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) chemistry. NHC organocatalysts have recently been applied to diverse reductive radical transformations.[2] Our preliminary results show that visible-light irradiation can expand their reactivity to challenging, previously inaccessible substrates.
Internship objectives
The goal is to explore the potential of new free redox-active NHCs in extreme photoreductive catalysis.
The intern will:
– Optimize the conditions for generating and activating these NHCs,
– Apply them to the reduction of a variety of substrates,
– Conduct experiments under inert atmosphere (glovebox) and under photoactivation (UV-visible lamps).
Candidate profile
Master’s student in organic chemistry or catalysis.
Basic knowledge of organic synthesis.
Interest in catalysis, radical chemistry, and photochemistry.
Perspectives
This internship is the first step of a broader research project. A PhD fellowship is secured starting in September 2026.
Duration: 5–6 months
Gratification: approximately €660 per month
[1] a) D. W. C. MacMillan et al. Visible light photoredox catalysis with transition metal complexes: applications in organic synthesis, Chem. Rev. 2013, 113, p5322. b) N. A. Romero, D. A. Nicewicz Organic photoredox catalysis, Chem. Rev. 2016, 116, p10075.
[2] a) Martin, J. Broggi et al. Critical assessment of the reducing ability of Breslow-type derivatives and implications for carbene-catalyzed radical reactions, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, p26783. b) D. Martin, J. Broggi et al. A simple NHC for the catalytic up-conversion of aldehydes into stoichiometric Super Electron Donors Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, p14699.