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Corey Stephenson

Corey Stephenson

Photo of Corey Stephenson
Professor of Chemistry, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Literature, Science, & Arts » Chemistry
My research group is engaged in a dynamic research program targeting the development of new concepts in catalysis which enable the efficient, chemoselective construction of carbon‐carbon bonds with applications in the synthesis of natural products and materials science. Of particular interest are the discovery of practical new processes which utilize the redox chemistry of visible light activated metal complexes. Visible light sensitization is an attractive means to initiate organic reactions due to the lack of visible light absorbance by organic compounds thereby reducing the side reactions that are often associated with photochemical reactions conducted with high energy UV light. These processes offer improved chemoselectivity (and strategic advantages when employed in total synthesis) over current approaches while also enabling the reduction of stoichiometric waste byproducts. In particular, we are focusing our efforts in the following areas: (1) the development of new methodologies based upon visible light initiated electron transfer reactions; (2) applications of these methods to complex natural product synthesis; (3) technology-enabled reaction discovery and photocatalysis using mesoflow and microfluidics chemistry; and (4) new sustainable catalytic approaches to biomass conversion for fuel or fine chemical applications.