Visible-light-mediated decarboxylation/oxidative amidation of α-keto acids with amines under mild reaction conditions using O(2).

Photochemistry has ushered in a new era in the development of chemistry, and photoredox catalysis has become a hot topic, especially over the last five years, with the combination of visible-light photoredox catalysis and radical reactions. A novel, simple, and efficient radical oxidative decarboxylative coupling with the assistant of the photocatalyst [Ru(phen)3 ]Cl2 is described. Various functional groups are well-tolerated in this reaction and thus provides a new approach to developing advanced methods for aerobic oxidative decarboxylation. The preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that: 1) an SET process between [Ru(phen)3 ](2+) * and aniline play an important role; 2) O2 activation might be the rate-determining step; and 3) the decarboxylation step is an irreversible and fast process.