No photocatalyst required - versatile, visible light mediated transformations with polyhalomethanes

A visible light mediated, but photocatalyst-free method for the oxidative alpha-CH functionalization of tertiary amines with a broad scope of carbon-and heteroatom nucleophiles using polyhalomethanes has been developed. In addition, the pivotal visible light triggered activation of polyhalomethanes offers mild conditions for efficient Kharasch-type additions onto non-activated olefins. Preliminary mechanistic studies are reported.