# Visible-Light-Mediated Ring-Opening Geminal Dibromination of Alkenes via Alkoxy Radicals Enabled by Electron Donor–Acceptor Complex

## TL;DR

A new method uses visible light and a special complex to convert alkenes into geminal dibromides through alkoxy radicals and hydroxybromination.

## Contribution

A visible-light-mediated ring-opening geminal dibromination of alkenes via alkoxy radicals is introduced.

## Key findings

- An electron donor–acceptor complex generates alkoxy radicals from alcohols under mild visible light conditions.
- The process enables deconstructive functionalization of alkenes to produce geminal dibromides.
- Mechanistic studies suggest hypervalent iodine (III) compounds are intermediates in the reaction.

## Abstract

An electron donor–acceptor complex was utilized to generate alkoxy radicals from alcohols under mild conditions using visible light. This approach was combined with a hydroxybromination process to achieve the deconstructive functionalization of alkenes, leading to the production of geminal dibromides. Mechanistic investigations indicated the intermediacy of hypervalent iodine (III) compounds.