Tunable Copper Complexes for Sustainable Photocatalysis
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Economics
Minor
N/A
Institution
University of Louisville
KY House District #
59
KY Senate District #
26
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Sachin Handa, PhD; Justin Smith
Department
Chemistry
Abstract
Photoredox catalysis has direct applications in sustainable chemistry and thus an immense impact on our environment. With the ability to harness energy directly from the sun to catalyze useful chemical reactions, photocatalysts can help to eliminate the need for harsh reaction conditions and reduce generation of hazardous chemical waste. Photocatalysts based on Earth-abundant metals such as copper have recently emerged as sustainable alternatives to rare-earth metals including iridium and ruthenium, which are no longer required for many photocatalyzed chemical transformations.
Tunable Copper Complexes for Sustainable Photocatalysis
Photoredox catalysis has direct applications in sustainable chemistry and thus an immense impact on our environment. With the ability to harness energy directly from the sun to catalyze useful chemical reactions, photocatalysts can help to eliminate the need for harsh reaction conditions and reduce generation of hazardous chemical waste. Photocatalysts based on Earth-abundant metals such as copper have recently emerged as sustainable alternatives to rare-earth metals including iridium and ruthenium, which are no longer required for many photocatalyzed chemical transformations.