9-Cyano-10-methoxycarbonylanthracene as a Visible Organic Photoredox Catalyst in the Two-Molecule Photoredox System

Abstract

Visible-light-induced decarboxylative and deboronative reactions using two-molecule organic photoredox catalysts, namely, phenanthrene (Phen) and biphenyl (BP), as electron donors and 9-cyano-10-methoxycarbonylanthracene <b>1a</b> as an electron acceptor were achieved. The high solubility of <b>1a</b> significantly improved the reaction efficiency and product yield. In addition, the facile tuning of the oxidation potential of the electron-donor molecule via the replacement of Phen with BP enabled the application of the two-molecule photoredox system to a wide range of substrates.