Red-Light Photoredox C–H Alkylation of Acceptor Heterocycles Enabled by Substoichiometric NADH

Deus-Lorenzo U, Di Forti R, Cadranel A, Tomás-Gamasa M, Mascareñas JL, Mato M (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Organic Letters American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 28

Pages Range: 5508-5514

Journal Issue: 17

DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6c01113

Abstract

NADH is a key redox mediator in biology and biocatalysis, yet its catalytic use in non-enzymatic synthetic chemistry remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that NADH can act as a substoichiometric reductive quencher in red-light photoredox catalysis, enabling a redox-neutral C(sp2)–H alkylation of acceptor heterocycles. This strategy reduces waste and leads to excellent yields and selectivity by suppressing overreduction. The reaction proceeds in air, under mild, aqueous-compatible conditions and operates in biorelevant media, establishing NADH as a cofactor for artificial red-light photoredox catalysis.

Authors with CRIS profile

Riccardo Di Forti Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie I Alejandro Cadranel Sonderforschungsbereich 953/3 Synthetische Kohlenstoffallotrope

Involved external institutions

University of Santiago de Compostela / Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC) ES Spain (ES)

How to cite

APA:

Deus-Lorenzo, U., Di Forti, R., Cadranel, A., Tomás-Gamasa, M., Mascareñas, J.L., & Mato, M. (2026). Red-Light Photoredox C–H Alkylation of Acceptor Heterocycles Enabled by Substoichiometric NADH. Organic Letters, 28(17), 5508-5514. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.6c01113

MLA:

Deus-Lorenzo, Uxía, et al. "Red-Light Photoredox C–H Alkylation of Acceptor Heterocycles Enabled by Substoichiometric NADH." Organic Letters 28.17 (2026): 5508-5514.

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