α-Nucleophilic Addition to α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds via Photocatalytically Generated α-Carbonyl Carbocations.

We report the photocatalytic oxidation of α-carbonyl radicals of amides or esters to the corresponding α-carbonyl carbocations through super photoreductant CBZ6 induced redox-neutral photocatalysis. The α-carbonyl radicals are formed by the β-addition of alkyl radicals generated in situ by the photocatalytic fragmentation of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters to the α,β-unsaturated amides and esters. This method enables the α-nucleophilic addition of hydroxyl or alkoxyl radicals to amides and esters without any prefunctionalization.