Synergistic Visible-Light Photoredox/Nickel-Catalyzed Synthesis of Aliphatic Ketones via N-C Cleavage of Imides

An electrophilic, imide-based, visible-light promoted photoredox/Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction for the synthesis of aliphatic ketones has been developed. This protocol proceeds through N-C(O) bond activation, made possible through the lower activation energy for metal insertion into this bond due to delocalization of the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen by electron-withdrawing groups. The operationally simple and mild cross-coupling reaction is performed at ambient temperature and exhibits tolerance for a variety of functional groups.