Photocatalytic Hydrogen-Evolution Cross-Couplings: Benzene C–H Amination and Hydroxylation

We present a blueprint for aromatic C–H functionalization via a combination of photocatalysis and cobalt catalysis and describe the utility of this strategy for benzene amination and hydroxylation. Without any sacrificial oxidant, we could use the dual catalyst system to produce aniline directly from benzene and ammonia, and phenol from benzene and water, both with evolution of hydrogen gas under unusually mild conditions in excellent yields and selectivities.