Decarboxylative C-C and C-N Bond Formation by Ligand-Accelerated Iron Photocatalysis

The photoexcited state lifetimes of iron complexes are typically much shorter than those of iridium and ruthenium complexes. For that reason, iron complexes find less application in photochemical organic synthesis. Through iron photocatalysis, a mild and effective protocol for decarboxylative C-C and C-N bond formation has been achieved. The carboxylic acids readily undergo radical decarboxylation in the presence of Fe-2(SO4)(3) and di-(2-picolyl)amine under visible light irradiation. The resulting alkyl radicals then react with Michael acceptors or azodicarboxylates to furnish the adducts.