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Light-driven advances in chemical synthesis and property control

Burkhard König (University of Regensburg)
Conference hall, IMDEA Nanociencia
Wednesday, 26 November 2025 12:00

Abstract: 

Introducing light energy into catalysis enables reactions to occur under milder conditions, unlocking transformations that are not possible with heat alone. We will explore organic reactions that can only be achieved through photochemistry, producing higher-energy products than the reactants and offering better predictability and efficiency.1,2 Organic semiconductors,3,4 photoactive nanoparticles,5 and photo-redox catalysts are used to facilitate these transformations. Liquid-liquid interfaces are particularly ideal for photochemical reactions, as demonstrated with organic photochemistry “on water”.6 Light also enables reversible and remote control of a molecule's pharmacological activity through photoisomerization. We briefly review examples of photochromic GPCR-ligands and cyclic nucleotides, along with their reversible modulation in vitro and in label-free impedance whole-cell assays.7,8

References

  1. Wang, Y.-M. Tian, B. König, Nature Rev. Chem. 2022, 6, 745.
  2. Ghosh, N. Shlapakov, T. A. Karl, J. Düker, M. Nikitin, J. V. Burykina, V. P. Ananikov, B. Koenig, Nature 2023, 619, 87.
  3. Ghosh, J. Khamrai, A. Savateev, N. Shlapakov, M. Antonietti, B. König, Science 2019, 365, 360.
  4. Nikitin, F. Babawale, S. Tastekin, M. Antonietti, I. Ghosh, B. König, Green Chem. 2024, 26, 5845.
  5. Weitzel, A. Tsutskiridze, J. Bramowski, B. König, T. Hirsch, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, e202511247.
  6. - M. Tian, W. Silva, R. M. Gschwind, B. König, Science 2024, 383, 750.
  7. Wirth, K. Raabe, P. Kalaba, E. Keimpema, M. Muttenthaler, B. König, J. Med. Chem. 2023, 66, 14853.
  8. U. Wirth, J. Erl, S. Azzam, C. Hoering, M. Skiba, R. Singh, K. Hochmuth, M. Keller, J. Wegener, B. König, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, e202215547.

Short biography

Prof. Burkhard König is a leading expert in photocatalysis, with a focus on synthetic receptors for biological targets and visible-light photocatalysis in organic synthesis. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Hamburg (1991), conducted postdoctoral research at ANU and Stanford, and has been a full professor at the University of Regensburg since 1999. He has held key leadership roles, including Dean of Chemistry and Pharmacy (2011–2015) and Chair of the Chemistry – A European Journal and European Journal of Organic Chemistry. Prof. König has received numerous honors, including: Elected Member, German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (2025) Elected Member, Bavarian Academy of Sciences  2025) Honda-Fujishima Lectureship Award, Japanese Photochemistry Association (2023) Highly Cited Researcher, Clarivate (2021–2023) Honorary Member, Daylight Academy (2021) European Research Council Advanced Grant (2016). With over 44,000 citations, his work has significantly shaped modern photocatalysis and its applications in organic synthesis.

 

If you wish to receive a certificate of attendance, please register and sign the attendance sheet on the day of the event. 
Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT7ZjV1eFunIjpgfaCeKxUFY0Qx1DvoUbbixRZkckx6kCMcA/viewform?usp=publish-editor