Acridinium Salts and Cyanoarenes as Powerful Photocatalysts: Opportunities in Organic Synthesis

The use of organic photocatalysts has revolutionized the field of photoredox catalysis, as it allows access to reactivities that were traditionally restricted to transition-metal photocatalysts. This Minireview reports recent developments in the use of acridinium ions and cyanoarene derivatives in organic synthesis. The activation of inert chemical bonds as well as the late-stage functionalization of biorelevant molecules are discussed, with a special focus on their mechanistic aspects.

Automated summary

The use of organic photocatalysts has revolutionized the field of photoredox catalysis, expanding reactivities beyond traditional transition-metal photocatalysts. Recent developments in using acridinium ions and cyanoarene derivatives in organic synthesis have been reported, focusing on the activation of inert chemical bonds and late-stage functionalization of biorelevant molecules with discussions on their mechanistic aspects.