Sunlight-driven synthesis of γ-diketones via oxidative coupling of enamines with silyl enol ethers catalyzed by [Ru(bpy)3]2+

A photosensitizer [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) catalyzes oxidative coupling reaction of enamines with silyl enol ethers under visible light irradiation by a Xe lamp or sunlight to produce gamma-diketones. A 2e-oxidation process involved in this reaction is achieved by a combination of the photoexcited [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) species and duroquinone, a 2e-acceptor.