CdS Quantum Dots as Potent Photoreductants for Organic Chemistry Enabled by Auger Processes.

Strong reducing agents (<-2.0 V vs saturated calomel electrode (SCE)) enable a wide array of useful organic chemistry, but suffer from a variety of limitations. Stoichiometric metallic reductants such as alkali metals and SmI are commonly employed for these reactions; however, considerations including expense, ease of use, safety, and waste generation limit the practicality of these methods.