Visible Light Uranyl Photocatalysis: Direct C–H to C–C Bond Conversion

Uranyl nitrate hexahydrate performs as an efficient photocatalyst in the direct C–H to C–C bond conversion under blue light irradiation via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). This uranyl salt enables the remarkable smooth functionalization of unactivated (cyclo)alkanes, ethers, acetals, and amides via radical addition onto electrophilic olefins. Dedicated electrochemical measurements on compounds and intermediates involved in the process were carried out to support the mechanistic proposal.