Visible-light photoredox catalysis: dehalogenation of vicinal dibromo-, α-halo-, and α,α-dibromocarbonyl compounds.

vic-Dibromo-, α-halo-, or α,α-dibromocarbonyl compounds can be efficiently dehalogenated using catalytic tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium dichloride (Ru(bpy)(3)Cl(2)) in combination with 1,5-dimethoxynaphthalene (DMN) and ascorbate as sacrificial electron donor. For this process, a visible light promoted photocatalytic cycle is proposed that involves the reduction of carbon halogen bonds via free radical intermediates.