Deoxygenative Z-selective olefination of aliphatic alcohols

Alcohols are one of the most abundant functional groups in commercially available materials and biologically active compounds. Herein, we report a mild photocatalytic method for the unprecedent deoxygenative Z-selective olefination of aliphatic alcohols. Key to this methodology is the dual role of a phenothiazine photocatalyst, which enables the desired cross-coupling and promotes in-situ E to Z isomerization of the cross-coupled olefin product. This protocol is distin-guished by its wide substrate scope and broad applicability, even in the context of pharmaceuticals and saccharides. Given the mild and water-compatible conditions, our chemistry can also be utilized to functionalize DNA headpieces with saccharides for DELs applications.