# SYNTHETIC PHOTOCHEMISTRY

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2024 · $74,376

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Synthetic photochemistry is a powerful tool for biomedical research. The small-molecule therapeutics that
constitute the core of modern molecular medicine occupy a relatively narrow segment of chemical diversity
space. Photochemistry offers a new capability that can expand the range of chemical structures that can be
investigated for their biological activity and their potential as new life-saving drugs. Specifically, reactions
that are driven by light can use the energy of a photon to produce highly reactive intermediates that react in
ways that are not accessible by other means.
Our group's research focuses on the discovery of reaction methods that can control the outcomes of
photochemical processes in predictable ways. We have a long-standing interest in the development of
mechanistically novel catalytic processes that are directly applicable to the synthesis of complex bioactive
compounds. We are also interested in the use of external stimuli that can control or divert the intrinsic
reactivity of open-shelled photogenerated intermediates towards desirable synthetic goals. Finally, we are
deeply committed to elucidating the mechanisms by which photochemical transformations occur.
The next phase of our research will continue to investigate these broad themes. We propose investigations
into new strategies for controlling the stereochemistry of diverse photochemical reactions. We will study a
new approach towards the generation of carbocationic intermediates from photoredox activation. Finally, we
will develop a new class of photoreactions that take advantage of the direct photochemistry of base metal
coordination complexes.
These studies will result in new, generalizable strategies for the controlled photochemical synthesis of
complex organic molecules.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11102749
- **Project number:** 3R35GM144129-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** TEHSHIK P YOON
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $74,376
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-01-01 → 2026-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11102749

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11102749, SYNTHETIC PHOTOCHEMISTRY (3R35GM144129-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11102749. Licensed CC0.

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