Bimetallic Photoredox Catalysis: Visible Light-Promoted Aerobic Hydroxylation of Arylboronic Acids with a Dirhodium(II) Catalyst.

We report the use of a rhodium(II) dimer in visible light photoredox catalysis for the aerobic oxidation of arylboronic acids to phenols under mild conditions. Spectroscopic and computational studies indicate that the catalyst Rh2(bpy)2(OAc)4 (1) undergoes metal-metal to ligand charge transfer upon visible light irradiation, which is responsible for catalytic activity. Further reactivity studies demonstrate that 1 is a general photoredox catalyst for diverse oxidation reactions.