Controlled Relay Process to Access N-Centered Radicals for Catalyst-free Amidation of Aldehydes under Visible Light

Nitrogen-centered radicals have attracted increasing attention as a versatile reactive intermediate for diverse C-N bond constructions. Despite the significant advances achieved in this realm, the controllable formation of such species under catalyst-free conditions remains highly challenging. Here, we report a new relay process involving the slow in situ generation of a photoactive N-chloro species via C-N bond formation, which subsequently enables mild and selective access to N-centered radicals under visible light conditions. The utility of this approach is demonstrated by the conversion of aldehydes to amides, employing N-chloro-N-sodio carbamates as a practical amidating source. This synthetic operation obviates the need for catalysts, external oxidants, and coupling reagents that are typically required in related processes, consequently allowing high functional group tolerance and excellent applicability for late-stage functionalization.

Automated summary

A new relay process involving the slow in situ generation of a photoactive N-chloro species enables mild and selective access to N-centered radicals under visible light conditions, demonstrating high functional group tolerance and excellent applicability for late-stage functionalization.