Unravelling the Effect of Water Addition in Consecutive Photocatalysis with Naphthalene Diimide

We describe the effect of water addition in the catalyst performance for a C–H functionalization of benzene. Improved yields and selectivity were achieved in a consecutive photoredox catalysis in contrast to the reaction without water. Mechanistic analysis demonstrated this is due to a better catalyst stability and faster kinetic rather than a change in the different steps of the mechanism. The addition of water constitutes a convenient approach to improve catalyst performance, and it was also observed with other catalysts.