Catalyst-free reductive hydrogenation or deuteration of aryl–heteroatom bonds induced by light

Abstract

We describe here a simple and catalyst-free photochemical strategy for the direct reduction of aryl trimethylammonium salts, aryl triflates, and haloarenes to arenes or deuterium-labeled arenes. A broad range of substrate scope was demonstrated with high yields and deuterium incorporations. Radical clock experiments indicate the formation of aryl radical intermediates that can also be trapped by phenols.