Phosphonylacylation of Alkenes Enabled by Visible-Light-Induced N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis

Org Lett. 2024 Mar 1;26(8):1711-1717. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c00242. Epub 2024 Feb 20.

Abstract

Herein, we report the phosphonylacylation of alkenes via visible-light-induced N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis to afford a series of γ-ketophosphonates in moderate to good yields. This protocol features mild conditions, free of photocatalyst, and good compatibility of functional groups. The excited Breslow enolate intermediate was proposed to undergo single-electron transfer with oxime phosphonate to generate the corresponding ketyl radical and phosphonyl radical.