Photo-induced reductive cross-coupling of aldehydes, ketones and imines with electron-deficient arenes to construct aryl substituted alcohols and amines

Abstract

Umpolung reactions of C=X bonds (X = O, N) are valuable ways of constructing new C–C bonds, which are sometimes difficult to be constructed using traditional synthetic pathways. Classical polarity inversion of C=X bonds (X = O, N) usually requires air or moisture-sensitive and strong reducing agents, which limit the feasibility of substrate scope. Herein we describe a photo-induced reductive cross-coupling reaction of aldehydes, ketones and imines with electron-deficient arenes (aromatic nitriles) using fac-Ir(ppy)3 as a photocatalyst and diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) as a terminal reductant under visible light irradiation. Mild conditions and high yields mean that this new polarity inversion strategy can be used with aryl-substituted alcohols and amines. Spectroscopic studies and control experiments have demonstrated the oxidative quenching of Ir(ppy)3* by electron-deficient arenes involved in the key step for the C–C bond formation.