Visible Light-Promoted C–C Bond Formation from Hydroxyaryls in Water

Abstract

An eco-friendly and direct arylation of hydroxyaryls in water using photoinduced reactions with different substrates (1-bromo-2-naphthol, 1-iodo-2-naphthol, N-(2-iodophenyl)acetamide, 5-bromouracil, 2-iodo-N-methylbenzamide, and 2-iodobenzamide) was studied. For example, π-expanded coumarins, compounds with potential optical applications, were synthesized in very high yield, without the use of toxic reagents, in a one-pot reaction. In addition, we demonstrate that the irradiation source (halogen lamp) can be efficiently replaced by an LED without altering the reaction yield.