Direct activation of C(sp3)−H bonds by carbon dots photoredox catalysts | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Direct activation of C(sp 3 )−H bonds by carbon dots photoredox catalysts Le Wang, Dingxi Li, Xianhao Chi, Keping Zhai, Mingwei Hui, Meifang Zhu, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6053512/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Photoredox catalysis driven by precious metal complexes has unlocked significant opportunities in organic synthesis. However, their extreme scarcity and high environmental footprint necessitate the development of more sustainable alternatives. While other photocatalysts such as organic dyes and polyoxometalate anions have been explored, they often suffer from limited tunability of their photophysical properties. Carbon dots (CDs), low-cost and easily synthesized materials with highly tunable photo- and electro-physical characteristics, offer a promising yet underexplored option for photocatalysis. Here, we present the first example of CDs-catalyzed photoredox C(sp³)–H bond functionalization. Remarkably, minor variations in CDs composition significantly alter reactivity, switching between Giese radical addition and dehydrogenative annulation. These results establish CDs as versatile, metal-free photoredox catalysts, offering unique selectivity and mechanistic diversity for sustainable organic synthesis. Physical sciences/Chemistry/Catalysis/Photocatalysis Physical sciences/Materials science/Nanoscale materials/Quantum dots Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files SupplementaryInformation.pdf SI for Direct activation of C(sp3)−H bonds by carbon dots photoredox catalysts CIFwithhklofProduct54CCDC2351835.cif CIF with hkl of Product 54 (CCDC 2351835).cif SupplementaryInformation.pdf Supplementary Information Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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