C(sp3)–H bond functionalization with styrenes via hydrogen-atom transfer to an aqueous hydroxyl radical under photocatalysis

Abstract

The redox-neutral addition of α-C–H bonds of acetonitrile and acetone to styrenes was enabled via the hydrogen-atom transfer from relatively acidic and water-miscible C(sp³)–H bonds to an aqueous hydroxyl radical generated cleanly and iteratively by the oxidation of water under silver-nanoparticle-loaded titania photocatalysis without using stoichiometric oxidation agents.