Photocatalytic C-H Activation and Amination of Arenes with Nonactivated N -Hydroxyphthalimides Involving Phosphine-Mediated N-O Bond Scission.

Herein, we reported a metal-free photoredox/phosphine-catalyzed C-H amination of arenes. This allows for concise synthesis of highly functionalized N -arylphthalimides from readily available N -hydroxyphthalimides directly, without the preparation of activated N -hydroxyphthalimide intermediates. Mechanistic studies reveal that the radical is produced via phosphine-mediated N-O bond scission.