An effective strategy has been developed for the photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative addition of cyclic amino acids to both vinylogous amides and esters leading to uniquely substituted heterocycles. The additions take place exclusively trans to the substituent present on the dihydropyridone ring affording stereochemical control about the new carbon-carbon bond. These reactions are operationally simplistic and afford the desired products in good to excellent isolated yields.
Keywords: dihydropyridones; photoredox; vinylogous amides and esters.