Photochemical Nickel-Catalyzed C-H Arylation: Synthetic Scope and Mechanistic Investigations

An iridium photocatalyst and visible light facilitate a room temperature, nickel-catalyzed coupling of (hetero)aryl bromides with activated alpha-heterosubstituted or benzylic C(sp(3))-H bonds. Mechanistic investigations on this unprecedented transformation have uncovered the possibility of an unexpected mechanism hypothesized to involve a Ni-Br homolysis event from an excited-state nickel complex. The resultant bromine radical is thought to abstract weak C(sp(3))-H bonds to generate reactive alkyl radicals that can be engaged in Ni-catalyzed arylation. Evidence suggests that the iridium photocatalyst facilitates nickel excitation and bromine radical generation via triplet-triplet energy transfer.