Photoredox-Mediated Minisci Alkylation of N-Heteroarenes using Carboxylic Acids and Hypervalent Iodine

A new protocol of photoredox-mediated Minisci alkylation of N-heteroarenes with aliphatic carboxylic acids has been developed. Using Ru(bpy)(3)Cl-2 as photocatalyst and acetoxybenziodoxole (BI-OAc) as oxidant, a variety of primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl groups can be efficiently incorporated into various electron-deficient N-heteroarenes. This protocol demonstrated excellent substrate scope and good functional group tolerance and can be applied to late-stage functionalization of complex molecules.