Dual Copper Photoredox C-H Alkynylation with Arylacetylenes

In the realm of organic synthesis, direct C-H alkynylation with arylacetylenes has remained a daunting challenge due to competing annulations or alkenylation. Addressing this long-standing issue, herein we demonstrate the merging of copper and photocatalysis to achieve the elusive C-H alkynylation of benzamides using arylacetylenes or arylpropiolic acids. Unlike conventional copper-mediated C-H activations, our protocol circumvents the need for high temperatures and stoichiometric amounts of copper salts or metal/non-metal oxidants. The versatility of the developed dual copper photoredox system is underscored by performing other diverse C-H functionalizations such as amination, selenylation, arylation, sulfonylation, and nitration under slightly modified conditions.