Photo-Induced FeCl3-catalysed direct denitrative chlorination of (hetero)nitroarenes at room temperature

Abstract

We present herein an iron-catalyzed denitrative chlorination of (hetero)nitroarenes at room temperature under visible light irradiation. In this study, FeCl₃ catalyzed direct chlorination was achieved through denitrative chlorination under light irradiation (390–400 nm) at room temperature. Throughout the process, numerous commercially available nitroarenes underwent direct denitrative chlorination, yielding the corresponding aryl chlorides in moderate to good yields. This demonstrates an efficient and alternative approach to synthesizing aryl chlorides from nitroarenes under mild reaction conditions.