Recent Progresses in Visible-Light-Driven Alkene Synthesis

Alkenes and their functionalized derivatives represent a versatile class of building blocks in organic synthesis. The traditional synthetic methods include Wittig olefination, Peterson olefination, Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction and others, and many of these classic reactions have also become textbook knowledge. Most of these methods are based on ionic pathways and some still require pre-functionalization at the sites where C-C double bonds are formed, resulting some limitations on substrate scope or functional group tolerance. Over the past few years, photoredox catalysis has become a powerful platform for new reaction design owing to its green chemistry characteristics and unique activation modes. The recently developed and representative methods for the synthesis of alkenes under photochemical conditions are summarized. Moreover, the prospects of further developments are also discussed.

Automated summary

Alkenes and their derivatives are important building blocks in organic synthesis. Traditional synthetic methods have limitations, and photoredox catalysis has emerged as a powerful and promising platform for alkene synthesis due to its green chemistry characteristics and unique activation modes.