Photoredox/Bismuth Relay Catalysis Enabling Reductive Alkylation of Nitroarenes with Aldehydes

The effective transition metal-free photoredox/bismuth dual catalytic reductive dialkylation of nitroarenes with benzaldehydes has been reported. The nitroarene reduction through visible light-driven photoredox catalysis was integrated with subsequent reductive dialkylation of anilines under bismuth catalysis to enable the cascade reductive alkylation of nitroarenes with carbonyls. Salient features of this relay catalysis system include mild reaction conditions, no requirement for transition metal catalysts, easy handling, step-economy, and high selectivity. Photoredox/bismuth relay catalysis: A mild and transition metal-free visible-light-induced Photoredox/bismuth dual catalytic system allows sequential hydrogenation of nitroarenes and reductive dibenzylation and provides an facile access to N,N-dibenzyl anilines. image