C–H Amination via Electrophotocatalytic Ritter-type Reaction

A method for C–H bond amination via an electrophotocatalytic Ritter-type reaction is described. The reaction is catalyzed by a trisaminocyclopropenium (TAC) ion in an electrochemical cell under irradiation. These conditions convert benzylic C–H bonds to acetamides without the use of a stoichiometric chemical oxidant. A range of functionality is shown to be compatible with this transformation, and several complex substrates are demonstrated.