Organic Dye-Catalyzed Intermolecular Radical Coupling of α-Bromocarbonyls with Olefins: Photocatalytic Synthesis of 1,4-Ketocarbonyls Using Air as an Oxidant.

An organic dye-catalyzed visible light-promoted ketocarbonylation protocol of vinyl arenes has been disclosed with the help of α-bromocarbonyls where aerial oxygen played a role of an oxidant to install the keto-oxygen functionality. This unique process is compatible with both internal and terminal olefins and tolerates a diverse array of functional groups (ketone, ester, amide, diketones, ketoester, and malonate). This process is mild and environmentally friendly and deals with greener oxidants like oxygen, affording 1,4-ketocarbonyls as a value-added end product.