Visible-Light Induced Etherification of C(sp3)–H Bonds with Phenols

The visible-light induced cross-dehydrogenative coupling of C(sp3)-H bonds with phenols using BrCCl3 to give aryl alkyl ethers has been achieved under transition-metal- and photocatalyst-free conditions. This operationally simple and mild protocol has a broad substrate scope, and was applied to the modification of drug molecules and on a gram-scale synthesis. The phenolate ion functions as both a substrate and photosensitizer, and BrCCl3 serves as the oxidant and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) agent.