Visible-light-mediated nucleophilic addition of an α-aminoalkyl radical to isocyanate or isothiocyanate.

A visible-light photoredox synthesis of α-amino amide or α-amino thioamide from N,N-dimethylaniline derivatives and aryl isocyanate or aryl isothiocyanate was developed. Bis[2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-C(2),N](picolinato)iridium(III) (FIrpic) was found to be the effective catalyst among six catalysts screened. The reaction involves generation of α-aminoalkyl radicals from tertiary amines, followed by radical addition to the electron-deficient carbon of isocyanate and isothiocyanate.