Exploring the Reducing Ability of Organic Dye (Acr+-Mes) for Fluorination and Oxidation of Benzylic C(sp3)-H Bonds under Visible Light Irradiation.

The excellent oxidizing capability of acridinium-based organic dye (Acr+-Mes) is fully studied in photoredox catalysis. However, its reducing ability is always considered weak for organic transformation. The reducing ability of Acr+-Mes is developed by Selectfluor to achieve effective fluorination and oxidation of benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds under visible light irradiation, which is not available for the direct use of oxidizing ability of excited Acr+-Mes. Mechanistic insights provided strong evidence for the oxidative quenching of Acr+-Mes.