Photoinduced Electron Transfer Promoted Radical Ring Expansion and Cyclization Reactions of α-(ω-Carboxyalkyl) β-Keto Esters

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) promoted decarboxylation of alpha-(omega-carboxyalkyl) beta-keto esters undergoes radical ring expansion and cyclization reactions. This mild and environmentally friendly method can provide one-carbon expanded gamma-keto esters and bicyclic alcohols, and the product distribution is strongly dependent on the length of the alkyl chain containing the terminal carboxylate group.