Carbon Dot as Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysts for a Myriad of Organic Transformations

Abstract

Metal-free catalysts for various organic transformations are of high demand now. In this study, we present a new carbon dot as an efficient metal-free nanophotocatalyst for carrying out a series of organic bond formation reactions. Using a single photocatalyst carbon dot, Csp 2 −Csp 2 , Csp 2 −B, Csp 2 −S, Csp 2 −Se, and C−P bond formation reactions were performed with a high yield of the corresponding products. Moreover, Csp 2 − H activation of the aromatic ring was achieved by merging the carbon dot photocatalyst with a transition metal. Interestingly, these carbon nanodotbased catalysts show good recyclability a few times without any significant loss of catalytic activity. The development of catalytic systems based on carbon dots has its merits vested in the advantageous properties of this nanomaterial, such as a robust chemical nature and cheap cost of preparation. This report demonstrates that a carbon dot indeed holds the potential to replace expensive metal-based catalysts as well as organic dyes in five different photoredox reactions.

Rapid targeting and imaging of mitochondria via carbon dots using an amino acid-based amphiphile as a carrier

“…Carbon dots (C-dots), being fluorescent nanomaterials with promising characteristics, such as strong biocompatibility, outstanding cell permeability, vivid fluorescence, high photostability, and straightforward synthetic pathways, have emerged as compelling contenders for bioimaging applications. 25–35 To date, few examples of C-dots modified by positively charged surface groups have been reported as mitochondria targeting agents, but C-dots with a negatively charge have been barely reported. 36,37 Therefore, C-dots with negatively charged surfaces, which are easily available in the literature, have not been utilized as a MitoTracker till now.…”