Visible Light-Induced C-H Bond Functionalization: A Critical Review

In recent years, visible-light-induced C-H bond functionalization has become an emerging field at the forefront of organic chemistry. In a general sense, these approaches rely on the capability of metal complexes and organic dyes to convert visible light into chemical energy by engaging in single-electron transfer with organic substrates, thus generating reactive intermediates. This review covers most of the strategies involving visible light-induced benzylic and non-benzylic alkylation, halogination, oxidation, vinylation, arylation, benzylation, acetylation, formylation, thiocyanation, xanthylation, azidation, amination, addition, and coupling reactions of sp(2) and sp(3) C-H bonds.