Visible-Light-Induced Dearomative Heteroarylation of Anthracene Derivatives with Heteroarylnitriles via Combined Energy Transfer and Electron Transfer.

Abstract

The introduction of nitrogen-containing heterocycles, especially pyridine rings, into polycyclic compounds is expected to enhance their antimicrobial activities and modulate their fluorescence properties. A novel visible-light-induced dearomative heteroarylation of anthracenes with cyanoarenes has been developed. Combining energy transfer processes with electron transfer processes enables the generation of radical anion intermediates, which could sequentially undergo radical-radical coupling for the introduction of heteroaryl groups. This method was compatible with various polycyclic arenes and cyanoarenes with excellent functional group tolerance and high yields.