Direct photocatalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (d-HAT) can be considered a method of choice for the elaboration of aliphatic C-H bonds. In this manifold, a photocatalyst (PC_HAT) exploits the energy of a photon to trigger the homolytic cleavage of such bonds in organic compounds. Selective C-H bond elaboration may be achieved by a judicious choice of the hydrogen abstractor (key parameters are the electronic character and the molecular structure), as well as reaction additives. Different are the classes of PCs_HAT available, including aromatic ketones, xanthene dyes (Eosin Y), polyoxometalates, uranyl salts, a metal-oxo porphyrin and a tris(amino)cyclopropenium radical dication. The processes (mainly C-C bond formation) are in most cases carried out under mild conditions with the help of visible light. The aim of this review is to offer a comprehensive survey of the synthetic applications of photocatalyzed d-HAT.

The synergistic control of the S_H2 transition states of hydrogen abstraction by polar and steric effects provides a promising strategy in achieving site-selective C(sp³)–H functionalization under decatungstate anion photocatalysis. By using this photocatalytic approach, the C–H bonds of alkanes, alcohols, ethers, ketones, amides, esters, nitriles, and pyridylalkanes were functionalized site-selectively. In the remarkable case of a 2,4-disubstituted cyclohexanone bearing five methyl, five methylene, and three methine C–H bonds, one methine C–H bond in the isoamyl tether was selectively functionalized.

Alkyl radicals are key intermediates in organic synthesis. Their classic generation from alkyl halides has a severe drawback due to the employment of toxic tin hydrides to the point that “flight from the tyranny of tin” in radical processes was considered for a long time an unavoidable issue. This review summarizes the main alternative approaches for the generation of unstabilized alkyl radicals, using photons as traceless promoters. The recent development in photochemical and photocatalyzed processes enabled the discovery of a plethora of new alkyl radical precursors, opening the world of radical chemistry to a broader community, thus allowing a new era of photon democracy.

Using hydrocarbons as reagents: Adding small alkyl groups to complex molecules usually relies on alkyl halide reagents. Laudadio et al. now report a convenient method to add ethane and propane directly across conjugated olefins with no prefunctionalization or byproducts (see the Perspective by Oksdath-Mansilla). The C–H bond scission in this hydroalkylation is accomplished by a decatungstate photocatalyst that also acts as a hydrogen atom transfer agent to complete the process. The reaction, optimized under flow conditions, works with methane as well, albeit with lower efficiency. Science , this issue p. 92 ; see also p. 34