Recent advances in photoinduced borylation reactions employing an electron donor–acceptor complex photoactivation strategy are reviewed. The milestones achieved in the area as well as the existing limitations are highlighted. Additionally, possible future developments that could further advance this field are discussed.

Abstract

Photoinduced borylation is becoming a fascinating and growing research field in synthetic chemistry. On the other hand, electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex photoactivation has emerged as an alternative strategy to generate active open-shell species without the need for photosensitizers. Suitable organoboron compounds can serve as the electron donor or acceptor to form the corresponding electron donor–acceptor complexes, which then undergo photoinduced intracomplex single electron transfer (SET) to generate carbon- or boron-centered radicals for the construction of new C−B bonds. In this Concept paper, we review recent advances in photoinduced borylation via the EDA complex photoactivation strategy surveying the relevant literature until December 2022.