Unleashing the Potential of Nanomaterials in Organic Synthesis: QD-based Photocatalysis and AuNP-catalysed Cascade Rearrangement Reaction

Abstract

The thesis titled Unleashing the Potential of Nanomaterials in Organic Synthesis: QD-based Photocatalysis and AuNP-catalysed Cascade Rearrangement Reaction explores innovative strategies for organic synthesis using nanomaterials. Chapter 1 introducing the basics of photocatalysis and advancements toward nanomaterials. Chapter 2 focuses on the utilization of MoS2 Quantum Dot (QD) catalyst for visible light-mediated Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Xanthene with β-keto moieties. The methodology offers advantages like substrate diversity, mild conditions, and catalyst recyclability. Chapter 3 investigates CdSe, CdS, MoS2, and WS2 QDs as efficient photocatalysts for carbon-carbon bond formation, revealing insights into energy transfer and electron transfer pathways by scrutinizing radical polar crossover and singlet oxygen generation. This approach, applicable to gram-scale synthesis, paves the way for QD-catalyzed reactions. Chapter 4 showcases the use of WS2 QDs for photocatalytic synthesis of biologically important C1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) motifs, demonstrating their antimicrobial activity. Chapter 5 delves into dual catalysis with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), elucidating their role in chemoselective cascade reactions, exemplified by Meyer-Schuster rearrangement and intramolecular oxa-Michael addition. The versatility of Au NP-catalyzed reactions is highlighted through the synthesis of diverse heterocyclic systems. This thesis contributes to advancing the field of nanomaterial-enabled organic synthesis, offering innovative methodologies with wide-ranging applications in various domains.