Metal-free Photochemical Atom Transfer Radical Addition (ATRA) of BrCCl3 to Alkenes

A simple, photochemical, and metal-free protocol for the atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) of bromotrichloromethane onto various alkenes is described. Among a range of organic molecules, phenylglyoxylic acid proved to be the most suitable photoinitiator to promote a sustainable process for the addition of bromotrichloromethane to olefins. This photochemical atom transfer radical protocol can be expanded into a wide substrate scope of aliphatic olefins bearing various functional groups, leading to the corresponding products in good to excellent yields.

Automated summary

A simple, photochemical, and metal-free protocol for the atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) of bromotrichloromethane onto various alkenes is described, with phenylglyoxylic acid proving to be the most suitable photoinitiator. This protocol can be expanded into a wide substrate scope of aliphatic olefins with various functional groups, leading to good to excellent yields of the corresponding products.