Visible light-induced hydroxymethylation and formylation of (iso)quinolines with alcohols

• Selective synthesis. • Without metal catalysts. • Visible-light and room temperature. Herein, a mild and effective hydroxymethylation and formylation of quinolines or isoquinolines with methanol in the absence of external acids and transition metals is described using the coupling reaction promoted by PhIFA and visible light. A variety of substituted quinolines or isoquinolines proceed the reaction smoothly, providing the corresponding products in moderate-to-good yields. Control experiments indicate that a radical pathway is involved in this transformation.