Activation of Aryl and Alkyl Halides Enabledby Strong Photoreduction Potentials of a Hantzsch Ester/Cs₂CO₃System

We disclose herein a light-induced Hantzsch ester-initiated aryl and alkyl radical generation protocol from aryl halides (Br and Cl) and alkyl iodides. This method provides access to a wide range of benzo-fused heterocycles and C(sp(3))-C(sp(3)) coupling products. The reductive detosylation reaction has also been demonstrated using the same reaction conditions. Initial mechanism studies provide evidence of the formation of an alkyl radical.