Princeton University · ChemistryLaboratory of Excited-State Chemistry
Robert R Knowles · Princeton, New Jersey
Research Focus
Robert R Knowles' research lab at Princeton University focuses on developing innovative synthetic methods that utilize excited-state chemistry. By harnessing light to drive chemical reactions, his team explores new ways to synthesize complex organic molecules, which could lead to advancements in drug development and other areas of chemistry. They are also working on techniques that enhance reactions that involve the conversion of certain chemical bonds, aiming to improve how we create valuable compounds.
excited-state chemistryorganic synthesisphotocatalysisredox reactionsasymmetric synthesisC-C bond cleavageproton-coupled electron transferpharmaceutical developmentchemical transformations
Research Aims
5AIM 01Develop novel synthetic methods using excited-state redox events.
AIM 02Explore light-driven deracemization techniques for ketones.
AIM 03Create improved methods for the anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of olefins.
AIM 04Expand proton-coupled electron transfer methods for C-C bond cleavage.
AIM 05Investigate photocatalytic processes for synthesizing complex organic molecules.
Skills the Lab Values
organic synthesisphotocatalysisredox chemistry techniquesC-C bond cleavage methodsasymmetric synthesis techniquesreaction mechanism analysislight-driven chemical processeschemical compound characterizationmethod development
Output against the department
Publications171bottom 40% of dept.129th of 216
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations10ktop 46% of dept.100th of 216
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.