Acyl Radicals from Acylsilanes: Photoredox-Catalyzed Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Ketones

Acyl radicals were smoothly generated from acylsilanes under photoredox-catalyzed conditions. These radicals were formed upon ultraviolet B (UV-B), solar, or visible light irradiation by using decatungstate and acridinium salts as photocatalysts. Acylation of Michael acceptors and a few styrenes resulted in a smooth preparation of unsymmetrical ketones in yields up to 89%.