Photocatalytic CeCl3‐Promoted C‐H Alkenylation and Alkynylation of Alkanes

The reemerging field of photoredox catalysis offers numerous advantages towards the development of novel, sustainable and easy‐to‐execute organic transformations. Herein, we report a light‐triggered application of cerium complexes towards the C‐H alkenylation and alkynylation of alkanes. An indirect HAT‐mediated photocatalytic protocol was developed, using a cerium salt (CeCl3.7H2O) and a chlorine source (TBACl) as the catalytic system. A variety of cyclic and linear hydrocarbons were utilized, delivering the corresponding alkenylation or alkynylation products in good to high yields, displaying high regioselectivity. A series of mechanistic experiments were conducted.