Visible Light Induced Oxidation of a-Diazo Esters for the Transition Metal-Free Synthesis of a-Keto Esters

Herein, an aerobic oxidation approach for the synthesis of a-keto esters using oxygen as a cheap and pollution-free oxidant has been developed. By using readily available alpha-diazo esters as starting materials, the transformation was achieved by the inducement of visible light with eosin Y as the light sensitizer. The reactions proceed at room temperature under air atmosphere, tolerating substrates with broad scope, thus providing a green and facile synthetic approach to structurally diverse a-keto esters.

Automated summary

An aerobic oxidation approach using oxygen as an oxidant for the synthesis of a-keto esters has been developed. The transformation is achieved by inducing visible light with eosin Y, allowing reactions to proceed at room temperature under air atmosphere with broad substrate tolerance. This provides a green and facile synthetic approach for structurally diverse a-keto esters.