Visible‐Light‐Induced C−H Functionalization and C−C/C−X Bond‐Forming Oxidative Cross‐Coupling Reactions

Abstract Transition‐metal‐catalyzed C−H functionalization has been a hot topic in organic chemistry over the past decade. The convergence of photocatalysis and C−H functionalization is undoubtedly a promising strategy to solve the challenges in this area as photoinduced electron transfer represents another avenue for the activation of C−H bonds. In addition to the common merits of mild reaction conditions and good site selectivity, organic photoredox catalysts are superior to the transition metal photocatalysts (predominantly Ru‐ and Ir‐based polypyridyl complexes) in the following aspects: no potential transition metal contamination, low price, more candidates, and higher reactivity, and so forth. In this Focus Review, we concentrate on bond‐forming reactions by oxidative cross‐coupling using organic photoredox catalysts. Achievements on C−C and C−X (N, O, F, P, S, Cl, or Br) bond‐forming reactions made in recent years are summarized.