Photoredox catalysis has experienced
a revitalized interest from
the synthesis community during the past decade. For example, photoredox/Ni
dual catalysis protocols have been developed to overcome several inherent
limitations of palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings by invoking a single-electron
transmetalation pathway. This Perspective highlights advances made
by our laboratory since the inception of the photoredox/Ni cross-coupling
of benzyltrifluoroborates with aryl bromides. In addition to broadening
the scope of trifluoroborate coupling partners, research using readily
oxidized hypervalent silicates as radical precursors that demonstrate
functional group compatibility is highlighted. The pursuit of electrophilic
coupling partners beyond (hetero)aryl bromides has also led to the
incorporation of several new classes of C(sp2)-hybridized
substrates into light-mediated cross-coupling. Advances to expand
the radical toolbox by utilizing feedstock chemicals (e.g., aldehydes)
to access radicals that were previously inaccessible from trifluoroborates
and silicates are also emphasized. Additionally, several organic photocatalysts
have been investigated as replacements for their expensive iridium-
and ruthenium-based counterparts. Lastly, the net C–H functionalization
of the radical partner in an effort to improve atom economy is presented.
An underlying theme in all of these studies is the value of generating
radicals in a catalytic manner, rather than stoichiometrically.