# Developing electron transfer from chiral circularly polarized luminescence-based photocatalysts towards selective radical cross-coupling reactions

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS · 2023 · $241,500

## Abstract

Summary
The long-term goal of the proposed project is to develop the next generation of cross-coupling reactions. We
aim at eliminating the need of differentiation between coupling partners, while retaining high reactivity and
selectivity by utilizing polarized radical species. We will take advantage from the fact that a polarized radical
species will only react with another radical species with the opposite polarization. The central hypothesis is that
complexes emitting strong circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) possess a high population of high energy
polarized excitons that can be harvested for reactivity. CPL is the emission of light with preferential circular
polarization and has emerged as the next generation light source. Lanthanide complexes are the best CPL
emitters, and cerium complexes are known to be photosensitizers capable of generating radical species. We will
synthesize luminescent enantiopure chiral complexes exhibiting CPL, and will examine their ability to transfer
polarized electrons. To attain strong CPL and photosensitizing ability, we will target chiral rigid guanidinate
ligands. We will also examine the ability of these complexes to transfer polarized electrons and generate
polarized radicals with quenching studies of the complexes in their photoexcited states. We will also evaluate
the reactivity of polarized radicals toward Csp3-Csp3 cross-coupling reactions using a combination of
fluorescence studies and flow chemistry. During the proposed funding period, we expect the delivery of the first
examples of CPL-active cerium complex, as well as proof-of-principle for polarized electron transfer. We will also
develop early stage proof-of-concept for the polarized radical-based cross-coupling reactions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10663899
- **Project number:** 5R21GM143644-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS
- **Principal Investigator:** Gael Ung
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $241,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10663899

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10663899, Developing electron transfer from chiral circularly polarized luminescence-based photocatalysts towards selective radical cross-coupling reactions (5R21GM143644-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10663899. Licensed CC0.

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