Benzylic C–H Esterification with Limiting C–H Substrate Enabled by Photochemical Redox Buffering of the Cu Catalyst

Copper-catalyzed radical-relay reactions provide a versatile strategy for selective C–H functionalization; however, reactions with peroxide-based oxidants often require excess C–H substrate. Here, we report a photochemical strategy to overcome this limitation by using a Cu/2,2′-biquinoline catalyst that supports benzylic C–H esterification with limiting C–H substrate. Mechanistic studies indicate that blue-light irradiation promotes carboxylate-to-copper charge transfer, reducing resting-state CuII to CuI, which activates the peroxide to generate an alkoxyl radical hydrogen-atom-transfer species. This “photochemical redox buffering” introduces a unique strategy to sustain the activity of Cu catalysts in radical-relay reactions.