To view a recording of this talk, click HERE.

Abstract: 

The Hirschi lab investigates reaction mechanisms in the areas of biocatalysis and photoredox catalysis. This lecture will provide an overview of our research program with a special emphasis on our studies of the intermolecular hydrofunctionalization of alkenes enabled by acridinium photocatalysts. Heavy-atom kinetic isotope effects and high-level DFT calculations provide unprecedented insight into the free energy landscape of this class of reactions. The experimentally validated transition state model of the rate-determining step provides vital clues for the development of asymmetric variants of these reactions.