Organocatalyzed Photoelectrochemical C−H Amination of Arenes

Catalytic C–H/N–H cross-coupling is considered an ideal strategy for accessing anilines and derivatives, but its synthetic execution remains extremely challenging, especially when the exclusion of external oxidants is desired. Report herein is a photoelectrochemical method for the preparation of anilides through C–H/N–H coupling of arenes and carbamates, which employs DDQ as a molecular catalyst. The reactions are conducted in a simple undivided cell with visible-light irradiation and without any need for external chemical oxidants. In addition, the reactions employ arenes as the limiting agent, and are compatible with benzene and halogenated benzenes