Visible-Light-Mediated NHC and Tertiary Amine Catalysis Enabling α-H Acylation of Alkenes

Org Lett. 2023 May 19;25(19):3369-3374. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c00802. Epub 2023 May 5.

Abstract

An intermolecular direct α-C-H acylation of alkenes was revealed by the visible-light-mediated N-heterocyclic carbene and quinuclidine catalysis. This convenient protocol provides a facile synthesis toward novel natural products and drug derivatives of α-substituted vinyl ketones. Mechanistic investigations indicated that the transformation proceeded via sequential radical addition, radical coupling, and an elimination process.