Direct C–H photoarylation of diazines using aryldiazonium salts and visible-light

In this study, direct C–H photoarylation of pyrazine with aryldiazonium salts under visible-light irradiation (blue-LEDs) is described, and additional examples including photoarylations of pyrimidine and pyridazine are also covered. The corresponding aryl-diazines were prepared in yields up to 84% only by mixing and irradiating the reaction with no need for an additional photocatalyst. We demonstrate the efficacy of this protocol by the scope with electron-donor, -neutral, and -withdrawing groups attached at the ortho, meta, and para positions of the aryldiazonium salts; the results are better than those reported for ruthenium-complex mediated photoarylations. Additionally, we demonstrate the robustness of this methodology with a 5 mmol scaled-up experiment. Mechanistic studies were carried out giving support to the proposal of a photocatalyzed approach by an electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex, also highlighting the crucial role that solvents play in the formation of the EDA complex.