A unified strategy involving visible-light-induced iminyl-radical formation has been established for the construction of pyridines, quinolines, and phenanthridines from acyl oximes. With fac-[Ir(ppy)3 ] as a photoredox catalyst, the acyl oximes were converted by 1 e(-) reduction into iminyl radical intermediates, which then underwent intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) to give the N-containing arenes. These reactions proceeded with a broad range of substrates at room temperature in high yield. This strategy of visible-light-induced iminyl-radical formation was successfully applied to a five-step concise synthesis of benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids.

Fluorinated alcohols have been widely used in the synthetic organic chemistry over the past decades. The unique properties such as the strong hydrogen‐bonding donor ability and low nucleophilicity allow them to promote organic reactions in the absence of any catalyst. These approaches have distinct advantages in terms of operational simplicity, practicability and environmental friendliness. Reactions promoted by fluorinated alcohols, including nucleophilic substitution reactions, annulation reactions, electrophilic reactions, dearomatization reactions, functionalization of multiple bond, epoxidation reactions and miscellaneous reactions have been summarized in this account.

A one-pot synthesis of phenanthridines and quinolines from commercially available or easily prepared aldehydes has been reported. O-(4-Cyanobenzoyl)hydroxylamine was utilized as the nitrogen source to generate O-acyl oximes in situ with aldehydes catalyzed by Brønsted acid. O-Acyl oximes were then subjected to visible light photoredox catalyzed cyclization via iminyl radicals to furnish aza-arenes. A variety of phenanthridines and quinolines have been prepared assisted by Brønsted acid and photocatalyst under visible light at room temperature with satisfactory yields.

A visible light-induced synthesis of nitrogen-containing arenes from O-2,4-dinitrophenyl oximes has been reported. This photochemical strategy is photocatalyst-free and enabled by electron-donor–acceptor (EDA) complexes of O-2,4-dinitrophenyl oximes and Et3N.