7,10-Dibromo-2,3-dicyanopyrazinophenanthrene Aggregates as a Photosensitizer for Nickel-Catalyzed Aryl Esterification

Self-assembled aggregates of 7,10-dibromo-2,3-dicyanopyrazinophenanthrene which act as a new organophotocatalyst in combination with Ni catalyst for the Caryl–Oacyl cross-coupling reactions of carboxylic acids with aryl halides are described. This visible-light-induced Caryl–Oacyl bond-formation reaction proceeds smoothly to afford aryl esters with satisfactory to excellent yields.