An Efficient Metal-Free Oxidative Esterification and Amination of Benzyl C-H Bond

Photoredox/Copper Dual-Catalyzed Benzylic C-H Esterification via Radical-Polar Crossover

Herein, we report a distinctive photoredox/copper dual-catalyzed esterification of benzylic C-H bonds through the combination of photoredox-mediated hydrogen atom transfer and Cu(II)-mediated radical-polar crossover. This methodology demonstrates a high functional group tolerance (>40 examples) and moderate to good yields with structurally diverse benzylic C-H substrates. Notably, stoichiometric amounts of carboxylic acids are used as coupling partners, which allows the synthesis of structurally diverse benzylic esters and the late-stage functionalization of pharmaceuticals.