A conceptually new and synthetically valuable cross-dehydrogenative benzylic C(sp(3))-H amination reaction is reported by visible-light photoredox catalysis. This protocol employs DCA (9,10-dicyanoanthracene) as a visible-light-absorbing photoredox catalyst and an amide as the nitrogen source without the need of either a transition metal or an external oxidant.

Power of light: 1,4‐dicyanonaphthalene (DCN) and light directly activates benzylic CH bonds for intra‐ and intermolecular CO bond formation. Arylalkyls have also been transformed directly into aryl ketones using water as a source of oxygen. EDG=electron‐donating group, EWG=electron‐withdrawing group.

A visible light mediated highly selective benzylic C-H bond functionalization for intermolecular C-N and C-O bond formation is reported. This cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction demonstrates a straightforward protocol for incorporating the heteroaromatics to the benzylic position. Benzylic oxidation of various alkyl aryls to corresponding carbonyl compounds has also been reported.

An efficient method for heterocyclization via visible light photoredox catalysis is reported to access various oxygen and nitrogen heterocycles.