Visible-Light-Triggered, Metal- and Photocatalyst-Free Acylation of N-Heterocycles

A photoinduced acylation of N-heterocycles is explored. This visible-light triggered reaction occurs not only under extremely mild reaction conditions, but also does not require the presence of a photosensitizer. The mechanistic studies suggest formation of EDA complexes prompt to harness the energy from visible-light. Compatibility with a large panel of alpha-keto acids as acyl precursors and an array of N-heterocycles clearly showcase the synthetic potential of this handy and green acylation protocol.