Merging photoredox catalysis with Lewis acid catalysis: activation of carbon-carbon triple bonds

Here, we demonstrate that merging photoredox catalysis with Lewis acid catalysis provides a fundamentally new activation mode of C-C triple bonds, to achieve the bond-forming reaction of alkynes with weak nucleophiles. Using a synergistic merger of Eosin Y and Cu(OTf)(2), a highly efficient cyclization reaction of arene-ynes was developed.