Direct Decarboxylative-Decarbonylative Alkylation of alpha-Oxo Acids with Electrophilic Olefins via Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis

The decarbonylation of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl-substituted acyl radicals has been investigated through photoredox catalysis. A series of quaternary carbons and gamma-ketoesters have been directly constructed by the photoredox 1,4 conjugate addition of the corresponding alkyl ketoacids with electrophilic alkenes. And, the tertiary alkyl ketoacids have proved to be good precursors of tertiary alkyl radicals.