Reactions of benzyltriphenylphosphonium salts under photoredox catalysis.

The development of benzyltriphenylphosphonium salts as alkyl radical precursors using photoredox catalysis is described. Depending on substituents, the benzylic radicals may couple to form C-C bonds or abstract a hydrogen atom to form C-H bonds. A natural product, brittonin A, was also synthesized using this method.