Room temperature C(sp2)-H oxidative chlorination via photoredox catalysis

Photoredox catalysis has been developed to achieve oxidative C-H chlorination of aromatic compounds using NaCl as the chlorine source and Na2S2O8 as the oxidant. The reactions occur at room temperature and exhibit exclusive selectivity for C(sp(2))-H bonds over C(sp(3))-H bonds. The method has been used for the chlorination of a diverse set of substrates, including the expedited synthesis of key intermediates to bioactive compounds and a drug.