Picosecond Electron Transfer from Quantum Dots Enables a General and Efficient Aerobic Oxidation of Boronic Acids

Abstract

General visible light-mediated aerobic oxidation of boronic acids is unveiled using CdSe nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) as the photoredox catalyst. This protocol requires mild reaction conditions and low catalyst loading (down to 10 ppm), and tolerates various functional groups. The resulting phenols and aliphatic alcohols are produced in good to high yield with turnover numbers as high as >62000. The reaction mechanism is probed using ultrafast transient absorption and luminescence spectroscopy. The existence of a rapid 350 ps initial electron transfer followed by a hole transfer is demonstrated.