Visible-Light Photoredox Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Synthesis of Allylic Carboxylates from Styrenes

The visible-light photoredox/[Co(III)] cocatalyzed dehydrogenative functionalization of cyclic and acyclic styryl derivatives with carboxylic acids is documented. The methodology enables the chemo- and regioselective allylic functionalization of styryl compounds, leading to allylic carboxylates (32 examples) under stoichiometric acceptorless conditions. Intermolecular as well as intramolecular variants are documented in high yields (up to 82%). A mechanistic rationale is also proposed on the basis of a combined experimental and spectroscopic investigation.

Automated summary

The study documents a visible-light photoredox/[Co(III)] cocatalyzed dehydrogenative functionalization of cyclic and acyclic styryl derivatives with carboxylic acids, leading to chemo- and regioselective allylic functionalization of styryl compounds, yielding allylic carboxylates. Both intermolecular and intramolecular variants are achieved in high yields, with a proposed mechanistic rationale based on experimental and spectroscopic investigation.