Xanthenes: Novelty and Green Photocatalysis for the Formation of Carbon-carbon or Carbon-heteroatom Bond

This review covers photoreduction reactions using xanthenes reported from 2011 to date and compares them with the conventional photocatalytic method. Xanthenes have strong absorption in the visible light spectrum (520-550 nm), and their redox potential resembles organometallic complexes, such as those containing Ir or Ru, and they are also easy to handle and accessible. In addition to being metal-free, photocatalysis with xanthenes is performed under mild reaction conditions. For instance, no radical initiators are needed because the energy sources are led devices or household lamps, most reactions are performed at room temperature in common solvents (MeOH, MeCN, acetone, DMSO), and an anhydrous or inert atmosphere is usually not required. As a result, xanthene dyes hold the promise of a more environmentally friendly synthesis of organic compounds.