Synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles via α-aminoalkyl radicals generated from α-silyl secondary amines under visible light irradiation

We have succeeded in the visible light-mediated synthetic use of alpha-aminoalkyl radicals derived from alpha-silyl secondary amines toward addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The resulting gamma-aminocarbonyl compounds are converted into gamma-lactams and pyrroles in a one-pot process.