Visible light mediated sp3 C-H bond functionalization of N-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines via Ugi-type three-component reactionElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. CCDC 1045629-1045630. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c5ob00201j

An efficient and high yield process for sp 3 C-H bond functionalization of N -aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines is disclosed. This involves a visible light mediated photoredox Ugi-type reaction with carboxylic acids and isonitriles under aerobic conditions, employing Ru(bpy) 3 Cl 2 as a photoredox catalyst and CH 3 CN as the solvent. CH 3 CN was found to be crucial for the process, and good to excellent yields were achieved for a wide variety of N -aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines, carboxylic acids, and isonitriles. The developed methodology is attractive for the synthesis of a library of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines. An efficient and high yield process for sp 3 C-H bond functionalization of N -aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines is disclosed.