Metal-free, visible-light photoredox catalysis: transformation of arylmethyl bromides to alcohols and aldehydes

A mild, simple, and controllable metal-free photocatalytic system for the transformation of arylmethyl bromides to corresponding alcohols and aldehydes in high yields with visible-light irradiation has been achieved. Eosin Y was found to be an efficient promoter for this oxidative dehalogenation reaction under photo irradiation conditions.