%0 Journal Article
%T Photoelectrocatalytic arene C¨CH amination
%J -
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-019-0231-9
%X Photoelectrochemical cells are widely studied for solar energy conversion. However, they have rarely been used for the synthesis of high added-value organic molecules. Here we describe a strategy to use haematite, an abundant and robust photoanode, for non-directed arene C¨CH amination. Under illumination, the photogenerated holes in haematite oxidize electron-rich arenes to radical cations, which further react with azoles to give nitrogen heterocycles of medicinal interest. Unusual ortho selectivity was achieved, probably due to a hydrogen-bonding interaction between the substrates and the hexafluoroisopropanol co-solvent. The method exhibits broad scope and is successfully applied for the late-stage functionalization of several pharmaceutical molecules
%U https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-019-0231-9