Catalysis: dual catalysis at the flick of a switch.

Abstract

A combination of two catalysts — one of which is light-activated — has been used to promote new chemical reactivity, opening up fresh opportunities for the synthesis of structurally complex organic molecules. See Letter p.74 James Cuthbertson and David MacMillan describe the development of a new and general strategy for the direct arylation of allylic sp3 C–H bonds, potentially providing a strategy for the construction of complex organic molecules via the coupling of simple and otherwise inert building blocks, without introducing extraneous functional groups. The process, combing photoredox and thiol-based organic catalysis, requires only under mild conditions; and can accommodate a wide range of alkene and electron-deficient arene coupling partners.