Utilizing a needle as a source of iron in synergistic dual photoredox catalytic generation of alkoxy radicals

Abstract

A visible-light mediated alkoxy radical generation is described, which allows for a structurally divergent oxidative C(sp3)-H bond functionalization. This protocol employs a photoredox/iron dual catalysis allowing for an unprecedented chemoselective single-step transformation of alcohol derivatives giving access to two valuable sets of products, tetrahydrofurans and γ-bromoketones, under one set of conditions. Addition of iron, by slow corrosion of a needle, provides superior reaction efficiency as compared to various iron(iii) complexes.