An often-overlooked factor that limits the continued and steady development of novel drugs are challenges associated with the synthesis of the molecules themselves. In order to discover new chemical spaces, new molecular scaffolds need to be accessed. To access novel scaffolds, however, requires the development of new chemical synthesis methods capable of enabling bond creations unavailable traditional chemistries. The field of photocatalysis (light-mediated synthesis) has enabled such advances. In contrast to the well known sinlge electron transfer activation mode, visible light mediated energy transfer catalysis relies on bond activation through purely photophysical processes; specifically following the triplet state energy reaction surface.
High-energy triplet (excited) states are fascinating species in organic chemistry as they exhibit chemical reactivity modes that are unobtainable when compared to their corresponding ground states. This enables the formation of typically challenging bonds and provides unique opportunities to design novel bioactive motifs and uncover new activity profiles. And being driven by visible light, offers practical solutions for more sustainable early phase drug discovery.
This presentation describes our efforts at using visible light mediated energy transfer catalysis for the construction of biologically important nitrogen-containing heterocycles, with a specific focus on formal C-H functionalisation processes.