Photoinduced Radical Borylation of Alkyl Bromides Catalyzed by 4-Phenylpyridine.

Utilizing pyridine catalysis, we developed a visible-light-induced transition-metal-free radical borylation reaction of unactivated alkyl bromides that features a broad substrate scope and mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies revealed a novel nucleophilic substitution/photoinduced radical formation pathway, which could be utilized to trigger a variety of radical processes.