Visible-Light-Promoted Photoredox Syntheses of α,β-Epoxy Ketones from Styrenes and Benzaldehydes under Alkaline Conditions.

A range of styrenes and benzaldehydes were smoothly combined to form α,β-epoxy ketones under the synergistic actions of photocatalyst Ru(bpy)3Cl2, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH), cesium carbonate (Cs2CO3), and visible light irradiation. The process likely proceeds through visible-light-enabled photocatalytic generations of acyl radicals as key intermediates.