Shepherding physical understanding into modern synthetic photochemistry

In a world that is beginning to realize the potential for using light as a source of renewable energy to power the globe, synthetic chemists that synthesize life-saving pharmaceuticals and other fine chemicals are now employing photons to drive challenging chemical transformations. This photonic reagent has the potential to be a game-changer in fine chemical production, but photons and photocatalysts come with unique mechanistic challenges at the intersection of synthetic chemistry and physical chemistry. Our group investigates the photophysical and photochemical underpinnings of next-generation photocatalysts for use in novel and disruptive photochemical transformations.