Photochemical methods for deuterium labelling of organic molecules

The development of methods for deuterium incorporation has gained increased attention owing to the importance of deuterated molecules in chemical, medicinal and biological sciences. Despite the number of procedures reported so far, including acid/base promoted protocols and direct C-H bond functionalization, photochemical deuteration of organic molecules accounts for a limited number of reports only. Over the passage of time, these methods have been developed in line with the goal of broad applicability, sustainability and milder reaction conditions. In addition, visible-light induced deuteration of drug molecules and natural products has been achieved, often allowing for the late-stage deuteration of complex structures. Despite these appealing features, this vibrant and challenging field is still in its infancy. This review, therefore, provides an overview of the recent achievements in photochemical deuteration strategies and a starting point for understanding the potential of this field. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.