Methods for forming aryl carbon-nitrogen bond using light

The disclosure relates to a method for forming aryl carbon-nitrogen bonds and to photoreactors useful in these and other light-driven reactions. The method comprises contacting an aryl halide, such as 4-bromobenzotrifluoride, with an amine, such as morpholine, in the presence of a Ni salt catalyst solution and an optional base, thereby forming a reaction mixture; exposing the reaction mixture to light under reaction condition sufficient to produce the aryl carbon-nitrogen bonds, e.g., to give a product such as 4-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)morpholine. In certain embodiments, the amine may be present in a molar excess to the aryl halide. In certain embodiments, the Ni salt catalyst solution includes a Ni(II) salt and a polar solvent, wherein the Ni(II) salt is dissolved in the polar solvent. In certain embodiments, the reactions conditions include holding the reaction mixture at between about room temperature and about 80° C. for between about 1 hour and about 20 hours such that at least about 50% yield is obtained.