Quantum Dots Photocatalysis Enabled Direct Activation of Acetone for Radical‐Radical Cross‐Coupling

Abstract In 2023, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus, and Alexei I. Ekimov for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots (QDs). Herein, a single QDs is demonstrated for the direct activation of acetone with visible light irradiation. In contrast to those reported in literature, the high reduction potential and chemical inertness of acetone are activated to form ketyl radical through the interaction between substrate and catalyst surface to lower the activation barrier of acetone, thus bypassing the strongly reducing agents or alkali metals and exhibiting good tolerance for highly sensitive groups. The unique activity of a single QDs photocatalyst for direct acetone activation and conversion opens an avenue to making chemical transformations in a cleaner, safer, and more economic manner.