Photocatalyzed Dehydration of 1-Aryl-1,2-Ethanediols to Methyl Ketones Driven by Eosin Y Fragmentation Products.

Herein, we report a mild photocatalytic redox-neutral dehydration of aryl-1,2-ethanediols forming the respective methyl ketones. In the proposed mechanistic cycle an initial hydrogen atom abstraction (HAT) is followed by a 1,2-spin center shift (SCS) as key steps. Interestingly, Eosin Y was found to act as a pre-catalyst dissociating into a catalytically active mixture under irradiation.

Common ground and divergence: OLED emitters as photocatalysts.

Many photocatalysts were initially developed or used as emitters for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). This feature article summarizes the different generations of OLED emitters and connects the photophysical processes with those relevant for photocatalysis. The focus is on the general properties OLED emitters and photocatalysts are designed for and how photocatalysis has benefitted from OLED research.

Light-Activated Agonist-Potentiator of GABA Receptors for Reversible Neuroinhibition in Wildtype Mice.

Gamma aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABARs) play a key role in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) as drivers of neuroinhibitory circuits, which are commonly targeted for therapeutic purposes with potentiator drugs. However, due to their widespread expression and strong inhibitory action, systemic pharmaceutical potentiation of GABARs inevitably causes adverse effects regardless of the drug selectivity. Therefore, therapeutic guidelines must often limit or exclude clinically available GABAR potentiators, despite their high efficacy, good biodistribution, and favorable molecular properties.