Implementing Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) Catalysis for Rapid and Selective Reductive Photoredox Transformations in Continuous Flow

The reductive transformation of aryl halides and carbonyl compounds is a key step in many photoredox transformations. By combining a highly reducing organic photocatalyst with a thiol hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalyst, we showcase rapid and highly selective reactions of these synthetically important starting materials in continuous flow. The fast reduction of aryl iodides, bromides and chlorides has been demonstrated with residence times in some cases below one minute. Selectivity between mono- and di-dehalogenation could also be achieved in some cases. Aryl ketones, aldehydes and imines were shown to undergo facile pinacol couplings, and the coupling of an aryl chloride with a styrene was also successful.