Visible-Light-Triggered Iodinations Facilitated by Weak Electrostatic Interaction of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes.

N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are well-known as ligands and organocatalysts, but there is no recognition for their catalytic role as a stabilizer through electrostatic interaction rather than electron donation. By utilizing the electrostatic interaction, we herein describe the success of a visible-light-triggered radical-radical cross-coupling of N-alkenoxypyridinium salts and NaI, giving a variety of α-iodo ketones. Computational studies characterize the stabilization role of NHCs.