Room temperature C(sp2)–H oxidative chlorination via photoredox catalysis† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7sc03010j Click here for additional data file.

Photoredox catalysis has been developed to achieve oxidative C-H chlorination of aromatic compounds using NaCl as the chlorine source and Na2S2O8 as the oxidant. The reactions occur at room temperature and exhibit exclusive selectivity for C(sp2)-H bonds over C(sp3)-H bonds. The method has been used for the chlorination of a diverse set of substrates, including the expedited synthesis of key intermediates to bioactive compounds and a drug.