Visible-Light-Mediated Radical Arylation of Anilines with Acceptor-Substituted (Hetero)aryl Halides

A visible-light-mediated, catalyst-free, direct (hetero)arylation of anilines with mild reaction conditions has been developed. The formation of a donor-acceptor complex between electron-withdrawing substituted (hetero)aryl halides and anilines allows, under blue LED irradiation, the synthesis of ortho and para (hetero)arylated anilines in moderate to good yields. The reaction has a high functional group tolerance. Spectroscopic studies confirmed the donor-acceptor complex formation between aniline and aryl halide.