Visible‐Light‐Promoted Copper‐Catalyzed Regioselective Benzylation of Pyridine N ‐Oxides versus Thermal Acylation Reaction with Toluene Derivatives

Copper‐catalyzed visible light mediated direct C–H bond benzylation of pyridine N ‐oxides with toluene derivatives was accomplished by recent developments in photochemical carbon–carbon bond formation through a photo‐induced bond‐dissociation strategy. This visible light driven protocol has been successfully applied to a broad scope of pyridine N ‐oxides and toluene derivatives. Furthermore, preliminary research indicates that the acylation reaction can be carried out under thermal reaction conditions. This protocol provides easy access to 2‐benzyl and 2‐acyl pyridine N ‐oxide derivatives in the presence of a copper catalyst.