Photoarylation of Pyridines Using Aryldiazonium Salts and Visible Light: An EDA Approach

A metal-free methodology for the photoarylation of pyridines, in water, is described giving 2 and 4-arylated-pyridines in yields up to 96%. The scope of the aryldiazonium salts is presented showing important results depending on the nature and position of the substituent group in the diazonium salt, that is, electron-donating or electron-withdrawing in the ortho, meta, or para positions. Further heteroaromatics were also successfully photoarylated. Mechanistic studies and comparison between our methodology and similar metal-catalyzed procedures are presented, suggesting the occurrence of a visible-light EDA complex which generates the aryl radical with no need for an additional photocatalyst.