Visible-Light-Driven Bisfunctionalization of Unactivated Olefins via the Merger of Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer and Carbene Catalysis

Herein, we reported an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and photo-co-catalyzed alkylacylation of olefins in the presence of the versatile synthon diazo ester, providing a new idea for transient radical generation with the only byproduct being N-2. Particularly, this radical process employs traditional carbene precursor diazo esters as the radical source, which is the first case in NHC catalysis. Compared to the previous pathway that produces radicals with large discard fragments, this merged channel possesses great atom economy.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel NHC and photo-co-catalyzed alkylacylation of olefins using diazo esters as radical source is reported, presenting a new idea for transient radical generation with the only byproduct being N-2. Compared to previous methods, this process shows great atom economy with reduced discard fragments.