Photogeneration of Chlorine Radical from a Self-Assembled Fluorous 4CzIPN•Chloride Complex: Application in C-H Bond Functionalization

The chlorine radical is a strong HAT (Hydrogen Atom Transfer) agent that is very useful for the functionalization of C(sp³)-H bonds. Albeit highly attractive, its generation from the poorly oxidizable chloride ion mediated by an excited photoredox catalyst is a difficult task. We now report that 8R_f8-4CzIPN, an electron-deficient fluorous derivative of the benchmark 4CzIPN photoredox catalyst belonging to the donor-acceptor carbazole-cyanoarene family, is not only a better photooxidant than 4CzIPN, but also becomes an excellent host for the chloride ion. Combining these two properties ultimately makes the self-assembled 8R_f8-4CzIPN•Cl^- dual catalyst highly reactive in redox-neutral Giese-type C(sp³)-H bond alkylation reactions promoted by the chlorine radical. Additionally, because of its fluorous character, the efficient separation/recovery of 8R_f8-4CzIPN could be envisioned.