Generation of Aryl Radicals from Aryl Halides: Rongalite-Promoted Transition-Metal-Free Arylation

A new and practical method for the generation of aryl radicals from aryl halides is reported. Rongalite as a novel precursor of super electron donors was used to initiate a series of electron-catalyzed reactions under mild conditions. These transition-metal-free radical chain reactions enable the efficient formation of C–C, C–S, and C–P bonds through homolytic aromatic substitution or S RN 1 reactions. Moreover, the synthesis of antipsychotic drug Quetiapine was performed on gram scale through the described method. This protocol demonstrated its potential as a promising arylation method in organic synthesis.