Reagentless Organic Synthesis

This project proposal, ""Reagent-less Organic Synthesis through Vibrational Strong Coupling,"" addresses the pressing need in synthetic chemistry for sustainable and environmentally friendly chemical transformations.

It aims to harness the power of vibrational strong coupling (VSC) to enable reagent-less, clean chemical reactions with maximum atom economy and minimal waste generation.VSC involves selectively coupling a molecule's vibrational transition to the zero-point electromagnetic fluctuations of an optical cavity.

This coupling, even in the absence of light, creates vibro-polaritonic states that can alter the ground-state reactivity landscape.

VSC being a nascent field has shown promise in modifying some chemical reactions, however, many fundamental questions remain unanswered.The research plan combines the fabrication and characterization of optical cavities, monitoring coupling strength and reaction kinetics using FT-IR spectroscopy, product characterization with GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy, and advanced spectroscopic techniques.

Collaboration with experts in computational quantum physics will bridge the gap between theory and experiment.This project's innovative aspects lie in its potential to achieve selectivity in chemical reactions that are challenging or impossible through conventional methods, eliminating the need for expensive catalysts, hazardous reagents, or harsh conditions.

By exploring a range of reactions and studying the underlying principles, this project contributes to sustainable chemical synthesis, aligning with the goals of circular economy strategies and innovative energy-efficient practices.