Ferric nitrene-promoted anti-Markovnikov ring-opening of epoxides and nucleophilic functionalization of benzylic C-H bonds under photo-irradiation.

This paper describes a ferric nitrene/photoredox dual-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov ring-opening of epoxides under neutral conditions for providing α-substituted acetophenones. A DFT-based calculation supported the reaction regioselectivity. The catalytic system could also be applied to the formation of C-O and C-N bonds nucleophilic functionalization of benzylic C-H bonds.