Additive-Free, Visible-Light-Enabled Decarboxylative Alkylation of Enamides

Enamides are versatile precursors for synthesizing bioactive compounds. As their alkylations often require perstoichio-metric amounts of oxidants, transition metals, or photocatalysts, we herein report a simple alternative for their alkylations by just using visible light to irradiate the mixture of the readily available N-hydroxyphthalimide esters and enamides without an additive. The reaction involves the photoactivation of a pi-pi stacking EDA complex between the substrates.

Automated summary

Enamides are useful precursors for the synthesis of bioactive compounds. A simple alternative method for their alkylation has been proposed in this study, which involves using visible light to irradiate a mixture of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters and enamides without the need for additives. The reaction is based on the photoactivation of a pi-pi stacking EDA complex between the substrates.