Visible light-induced borylation and arylation of small organic molecules using carbon dots

Arylboronates and arylated heteroarenes are ubiquitous scaffolds in materials science, organic synthesis, and drug discovery. Visible light-induced borylation and arylation of small organic molecules is a promising protocol in contemporary organic synthesis. The development of greener, milder and more efficient photocatalytic systems to construct arylboronates and arylated heteroarenes is highly desirable. Herein, we report that metal-free carbon dots as photocatalysts afford arylboronates and arylated heteroarenes from small organic molecules via orchestrated oxidative and reductive interfacial electron transfers and C–H arylation reactions. The potential utility of this strategy is highlighted by functionalization of the formed arylboronates and transformation of arylboronates into drug scaffolds.