Visible-light-driven cyanoalkylation of quinoxalinones using cyclobutanone oxime esters as the radical precursors

We have developed a versatile visible-light-driven cyanoalkylation of quinoxalinones under mild conditions. First, the cyanoalkyl radicals are generated from readily available cyclobutanone oxime esters under blue light irradiation. Then the generated radicals react with heterocycles such as quinoxalinones to give the final cyanoalkylation products. The protocol tolerates a wide range of functional groups. Our cyanoalkylation protocol does not need cyanide-based reagents and also does not need external oxidants. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.