Photocatalyzed Direct α-Alkylation of Esters Using Styrenes

A mild photocatalyzed approach to achieve the a-alkylation of esters via formation of an a -radical is disclosed here. Cesium enolates of esters were generated in situ using Cs2CO3 as a base. A subsequent photocatalyzed oxidation at the a-carbon of these enolates produced an a-radical that was added into activated alkenes. This is the first example accessing the a-carbon radical of esters in photoredox catalyed transformations.

Automated summary

A mild photocatalyzed method for the a-alkylation of esters via formation of an a-radical is reported. Cesium enolates of esters were generated in situ using Cs2CO3 as a base. Photocatalyzed oxidation at the a-carbon of these enolates produced an a-radical, which was then added into activated alkenes. This is the first example accessing the a-carbon radical of esters in photoredox-catalyzed transformations.