Light-driven method generates atomic hydrogen for metal-free chemistry

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, UCL and Imperial College developed a light-driven route to atomic hydrogen. A hydrazine and thiophenol derivative mixture forms a short-lived Rydberg radical (~13 picoseconds) that releases hydrogen radicals for metal-free reduction of organic molecules.

• Method produces atomic hydrogen H• under mild, metal-free conditions
• Key intermediate is a Rydberg radical living about 13 picoseconds
• Functionalized alkenes and halogen compounds were reduced
• Atomic hydrogen was first produced by Irving Langmuir over a century ago