Homocoupling of Iodoarenes and Bromoalkanes Using Photoredox Gold Catalysis: A Light Enabled Au(III) Reductive Elimination

The formation of homocoupled alkane byproducts have been identified in the reduction of bromoalkanes via photoredox gold catalysis with dimeric Au(I) complexes. This prompted further investigation into the mechanism of formation of these byproducts and the diversity of C-X bonds amenable to this transformation. Examples were found when considering bromoalkanes while a wide variety of iodoarenes underwent this process in good to excellent yields. The light enabled homocoupling of iodoarenes made possible by photoredox gold catalysis is reported.