Anionic N-boryl pyridyl complexes: Modular photoredox catalysts with extreme reduction potentials

Visible light photoredox catalysis has become a potent method for activating inert chemical bonds through single-electron reduction under mild conditions. In this vein, Jiao and colleagues have recently unveiled a remarkably reducing photocatalytic system grounded in easily modifiable pyridine derivatives, diborons, and alcoholates in Chem. This system facilitates straightforward reductive transformations of unactivated C–O, C–F, and C–N bonds.