Visible-Light-Induced Dearomative Heteroarylation of Anthracene Derivatives with Heteroarylnitriles via Combined Energy Transfer and Electron Transfer

The introduction of nitrogen-containing heterocycles, especially pyridine rings, into polycyclic compounds is expected to enhance their antimicrobial activities and modulate their fluorescence properties. A novel visible-light-induced dearomative heteroarylation of anthracenes with cyanoarenes has been developed. Combining energy transfer processes with electron transfer processes enables the generation of radical anion intermediates, which could sequentially undergo radical–radical coupling for the introduction of heteroaryl groups. This method was compatible with various polycyclic arenes and cyanoarenes with excellent functional group tolerance and high yields.