Visible-light-mediated Gomberg-Bachmann reaction: An efficient photocatalytic approach to 2-aminobiphenyls

An efficient, metal-free and highly selective protocol for the synthesis of 2-aminobiphenyls via visible-light-mediated arylation of anilines using aryl diazonium salts (Gomberg-Bachmann reaction) has been reported. The reaction is an example of photoredox catalysed direct C(sp²)–H arylation of anilines using eosin Y as an organophotoredox catalyst. The presented visible-light-mediated environmentally sustainable approach has the potential to earn a decent position among the classical and contemporary methods for the synthesis of aminobiaryls.