Additive-Free, Visible-Light-Enabled Decarboxylative Alkylation of Enamides

Org Lett. 2021 Nov 5;23(21):8262-8266. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c03006. Epub 2021 Oct 12.

Abstract

Enamides are versatile precursors for synthesizing bioactive compounds. As their alkylations often require perstoichiometric amounts of oxidants, transition metals, or photocatalysts, we herein report a simple alternative for their alkylations by just using visible light to irradiate the mixture of the readily available N-hydroxyphthalimide esters and enamides without an additive. The reaction involves the photoactivation of a π-π stacking EDA complex between the substrates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't