Anthrazoline Photocatalyst for Promoting Esterification and Etherification Reactions via Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalysis

Here, we demonstrate a readily prepared anthrazoline photocatalyst, which can effectively promote C-O bond formation reactions with the aid of Ni(II) complex. This methodology enables the esterification (36 examples) and etherification (8 examples) with a broad range of scope, allowing aryl and alkyl halides coupled with diverse carboxylic acids/alcohols. Our metal-free photocatalysts have a potential broad application, may serve as an alternative to some iridium and ruthenium based photocatalysts, and are of potential importance to the pharmaceutical industry.

Automated summary

In this study, we present a readily prepared anthrazoline photocatalyst that can efficiently promote C-O bond formation reactions with the assistance of a Ni(II) complex. This method enables esterification (36 examples) and etherification (8 examples) with a wide scope, allowing coupling of aryl and alkyl halides with various carboxylic acids/alcohols. Our metal-free photocatalysts have significant potential applications, serving as an alternative to some iridium and ruthenium based photocatalysts, and are of potential importance to the pharmaceutical industry.