Heterofunctionalization of Arenes by Electrophotocatalysis

Key words

alkoxylation - amination - electrophotocatalysis - hydroxylation - photochemistry

Significance

Huang and Lambert report an oxidant-free electrophotocatalytic heterofunctionalization of arenes, in which electron-deficient or electron-neutral arenes are readily functionalized with various oxygen and nitrogen nucleophiles. The reaction is shown to be compatible with a wide range of arenes, and moderate to good yields and regioselectivity are achieved.

Comment

The authors’ reaction improves upon a previously reported arene heterofunctionalization using catalytic DDQ (see: P. Natarajan, B. König Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2021, 2145) by combining the photocatalytic and electrolytic processes to facilitate a lower catalyst loading, as well as eliminating the need for an additional oxidant, such as the potentially explosive mixture of tert-butyl nitrite and air.

Publication History

Article published online:
17 June 2021