A General Copper Catalyst for Photoredox Transformations of Organic Halides

Abstract

A broadly applicable copper catalyst for photoredox transformations of organic halides is reported. Upon visible light irradiation in the presence of catalytic amounts of [(DPEphos)(bcp)Cu]PF₆ and an amine, a range of unactivated aryl and alkyl halides were shown to be smoothly activated through a rare Cu(I)/Cu(I)*/Cu(0) catalytic cycle. This complex efficiently catalyzes a series of radical processes, including reductions, cyclizations, and direct arylation of arenes.