Mechanism of photocatalyzed imine conversion: a relay process of sequential energy transfer, single electron transfer and proton transfer

The use of imine compounds to generate alkyl radicals has been a topic of interest among synthetic chemists. However, the mechanism behind this conversion has yet to be fully understood. To shed light on this, a recent study utilized density functional theory calculations to investigate the mechanisms of photocatalyzed imidoyl radical formation and conversion. The study found that a sequential energy transfer, single electron transfer, and proton transfer pathway was energetically favorable for imidoyl radical generation. Interestingly, another substrate lacking 2,4,6-trimethoxy substituents exhibited poor reactivity due to its weak reduction ability and acidity, both in the ground state and photo-excited state.