Photomediated Hydro(deutero)acylation of Olefins by Decarboxylative Addition of α-Oxocarboxylic Acids

J Org Chem. 2024 Feb 16;89(4):2741-2747. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02838. Epub 2024 Feb 1.

Abstract

Acyl radicals have been generated from the decarboxylation of α-oxocarboxylic acids by using a readily accessible organic pyrimidopteridine photoredox catalyst under ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light irradiation. These reactive acyl radicals were smoothly added to olefins such as styrenes and diverse Michael acceptors, with the assistance of H2O/D2O as hydrogen donors, enabling easy access to a diverse range of ketones/β-deuterio ketones. A wide range of α-oxocarboxylic acids are compatible with this reaction, which shows a reliable, atom-economical, and eco-friendly protocol. Furthermore, postsynthetic diversifications and applications are presented.