Abstract: Transition metal-catalyzed C–C coupling reactions represent a significant research focus in organic synthesis. The Heck reaction, as a classical methodology for constructing C–C bonds, finds extensive applications in pharmaceutical development and materials synthesis. Recent advances in photoinduced palladium catalysis have opened new avenues for Heck reaction innovation, owing to its mild conditions, distinctive mechanistic pathways, and remarkable selectivity. This approach leverages the photoexcitation properties of palladium catalysts to merge single-electron transfer processes with palladium-catalyzed Heck reactions, thereby overcoming the substrate limitations and condition constraints inherent in conventional Heck reactions. This review outlines the developmental trajectory, mechanistic insights, regioselectivity patterns, and key breakthroughs in photoinduced palladium-catalyzed Heck reactions, supplemented with contemporary research findings. The discussion aims to enhance students’ understanding of fundamental organic chemistry concepts while bridging the gap between textbook knowledge and cutting-edge research developments.

Key words: Visible light, Palladium catalysis, Heck reaction, C–C bond coupling, Radical reaction