Catalyst-free photoarylation reactions promoted by visible light

Abstract

The use of visible light as a means of promoting chemical transformations offers a more sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional methods in organic synthesis. This reaction mode represents an important tool for the discovery of new reactivities that can be applied in the synthesis of relevant compounds. Herein we present significant and selected examples of the last ten years’ publications (2012–2022) of organic synthesis methods that use visible light as a promoter in photoarylation reactions without the need for additional photocatalysts. We highlight the main advances, including the formation of EDA complexes, photolysis and self-triggered reactions as main strategies for radical formation and radical initiation steps through visible light. Furthermore, we discuss the relevance of these methods in the production of valuable organic compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals and building blocks, and their respective reaction mechanisms.