Quantum dot first for carbon–carbon bond photocatalysis

Tiny semiconductor crystals called quantum dots have been used for the first time to photocatalyse several carbon–carbon bond forming reactions, rivalling – and in some cases surpassing – the performance of expensive precious metal catalysts. The researchers used cadmium–selenium dots 3nm in diameter to seamlessly replace iridium and ruthenium catalysts in five different bond forming reactions including β-alkylation and β-aminoalkylation.