Visible-Light Decatungstate/Disulfide Dual Catalysis for the HydroFunctionalization of Styrenes

We describe an efficient photoredox system, relying on decatungstate/disulfide catalysts, for the hydrofunctionalization of styrenes. In this methodology the use of disulfide as a cocatalyst was shown to be crucial for the reaction efficiency. This photoredox system was employed for the hydro-carbamoylation, -acylation, -alkylation, and -silylation of styrenes, giving access to a large variety of useful building blocks and high-value molecules such as amides and unsymmetrical ketones from simple starting materials.

Automated summary

An efficient photoredox system based on decatungstate/disulfide catalysts was developed for the hydrofunctionalization of styrenes. The use of disulfide as a cocatalyst was crucial for enhancing reaction efficiency, allowing for the synthesis of a wide variety of useful building blocks and high-value molecules from simple starting materials, such as amides and unsymmetrical ketones.