Flow Metal-Free Ar-C Bond Formation via Photogenerated Phenyl Cations

Abstract

A convenient photochemical flow protocol for the formation of aryl-carbon bonds via photogenerated phenyl cations has been developed. A wide range of phenylated products, including biaryls, allylarenes, 2-arylacetals and benzyl γ-lactones, was smoothly synthesized in satisfactory yields under metal-free conditions. The adoption of a flow reactor often allowed us to adopt higher concentrations of substrates and shorter irradiation times compared to those usually employed in batch systems.