Sustainable Synthesis through Catalyst-Free Photoinduced Cascaded Bond Formation

The beginning of photochemical reactions revolutionized synthetic chemistry through sustainable practices. This review explores cutting-edge developments in leveraging light-induced processes for generating cascaded C-C and C-hetero bonds without catalysts. Significantly, catalyst-free photoinduced methodologies have garnered considerable attention, especially in the creation of varied heterocyclic frameworks for drug design and the synthesis of natural products. The article delves into underlying mechanisms, addresses limitations, and evaluates various methodologies, emphasizing the potential of photocatalyst and transition metal-free photochemical reactions to enhance sustainability. Divided into two sections, it covers recent strides in C-C and C-heteroatom and multiple C-heteroatom bond formation reactions. This article highlights synthesizing functional molecules via light-induced cascaded C-C and C-hetero bond formation, emphasizing methods without transition metals or photocatalysts. It provides sustainable insights for pharmaceuticals, materials, and fine chemicals, spotlighting the pivotal role of heterocyclic compounds. The review contributes to a paradigm shift towards environmentally friendly chemical synthesis, illuminating the evolving landscape of synthetic methodologies. image