Cavity Catalysis of an Enantioselective Reaction under Vibrational Strong Coupling.

Strong light-matter interaction is emerging as an exciting tool for controlling chemical reactions. Here, we demonstrate an L-proline-catalyzed direct asymmetric Aldol reaction under vibrational strong coupling. Both the reactants (4-nitrobenzaldehyde and acetone) carbonyl bands are coupled to an infrared photon and react in the presence of L-proline.

Solvent Dependence on Cooperative Vibrational Strong Coupling and Cavity Catalysis.

Strong light-matter coupling offers a unique way to control chemical reactions at the molecular level. Here, we compare the solvent effect on an ester solvolysis process under cooperative vibrational strong coupling (VSC). Three reactants, para-nitrophenylacetate, 3-methyl-para-nitrophenylbenzoate, and bis-(2, 4-dinitrophenyl) oxalate are chosen to study the effect of VSC on the solvolysis reaction rates.

Cavity catalysis: modifying linear free-energy relationship under cooperative vibrational strong coupling.

Here, we used an unconventional idea of cooperative vibrational strong coupling of solute and solvent molecules to enhance the rate of an esterification reaction. Different derivatives of -nitrophenyl benzoate (solute) and isopropyl acetate (solvent) are cooperatively coupled to an infrared Fabry-Perot cavity mode. The apparent rates are increased by more than six times at the ON resonance condition, and the rate enhancement follows the lineshape of the vibrational envelope.