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Visible light-promoted excited-state palladium chemistry: a novel pedagogical approach to organometallic chemistry through mechanistic comparison of Heck reactions

Qiang Wang2, Binjie Li3, Honggang Cheng1   

  1. 1 College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei Province, China;
    2 College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China;
    3 College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, Hubei Province, China
  • Received:2026-02-27 Accepted:2026-05-12
  • Contact: Honggang Cheng E-mail:hgcheng@whu.edu.cn

Abstract: The instruction of organometallic chemistry necessitates the integration of fundamental theories with contemporary research developments. This article advocates for the incorporation of “excited-state palladium chemistry” into undergraduate curricula, employing the visible-light-mediated excited-state palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction as a paradigm. Through comparative analysis with the conventional ground-state, two-electron Heck reaction, this approach elucidates the novel single-electron transfer mechanism, thereby facilitating students’ comprehension of catalytic mechanism diversity and fostering advanced scientific reasoning. Furthermore, by incorporating significant contributions from Chinese researchers, this pedagogical strategy effectively combines ideological education with professional training, enhances disciplinary confidence, and provides innovative perspectives for cultivating the next generation of chemists.

Key words: Organometallic chemistry, Excited-state palladium chemistry, Heck reaction, Reaction mechanism