C(sp3)-H bond functionalization with styrenes via hydrogen-atom transfer to an aqueous hydroxyl radical under photocatalysis

The redox-neutral addition of alpha-C-H bonds of acetonitrile and acetone to styrenes was enabled via the hydrogen-atom transfer from relatively acidic and water-miscible C(sp(3))-H bonds to an aqueous hydroxyl radical generated cleanly and iteratively by the oxidation of water under silver-nanoparticle-loaded titania photocatalysis without using stoichiometric oxidation agents.

Automated summary

The study introduces a novel method for the redox-neutral addition of alpha-C-H bonds of acetonitrile and acetone to styrenes, enabled by the hydrogen-atom transfer from relatively acidic and water-miscible C(sp(3))-H bonds to an aqueous hydroxyl radical generated cleanly and iteratively by the oxidation of water under silver-nanoparticle-loaded titania photocatalysis without using stoichiometric oxidation agents.