Visible-light-induced acridinium-catalyzed selective <i>N</i>-dealkylation of N-heterocycles

We have developed an efficient and general strategy for <i>N</i>-chlorosuccinimide (NCS)-promoted <i>N</i>-dealkylation of aza-heterocycles <i>via</i> acridinium-photocatalyzed electron transfer and hydrogen atom transfer. This approach effectively obviates the need for transition metal catalysis and features wide substrate scope as well as exclusive chemo-selectivity. Remarkably, the method allowed the deprotection of the privileged but stable <i>N</i>-alkyl group, thus filling a gap in the practical <i>N</i>-dealkylation of N-heteroaromatics.