Visible-light-promoted aerobic metal-free aminothiocyanation of activated ketones

A direct, redox-neutral, highly atom-economical and metal-free aerobic method for the synthesis of multi-substituted olefins via simply coupling ammonium thiocyanate with activated ketones is described. A series of multi-substituted olefins could be easily and efficiently obtained in excellent yields by using low-toxicity and inexpensive ammonium thiocyanate as an amine and thiocyanate source, and water is the only by-product.