Multielectron C–H photoactivation with an Sb(<scp>v</scp>) oxo corrole

Abstract

Pnictogen complexes are ideal for mediating multi-electron chemical reactions in two-electron steps. We report an Sb(v) bis-μ-oxo corrole that photochemically oxidises the C-H bonds of organic substrates. In the case of toluene, the substrate is oxidised to benzaldehyde, a rare example of a four-electron photoreaction.